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Increase Sales With Proven Customer Service Techniques

Increase Sales With Proven Customer Service Techniques published on

How much business do you lose as a result of poor sales and customer service skills? If all your management, employees, and sales force work on some simple techniques, the returns in sales and customer satisfaction will amaze you!

FOCUSING ON THE CLIENT: A successful business must take the wants and needs of its clients into consideration. If you are able to listen and tailor the way you present your services or products to match each client’s individual needs or wants, it will result in a much more powerful and successful sales strategy than simply delivering a general, all-purpose pitch about a particular service or product that you are offering. Your message should highlight exactly how that particular service or product fits and suits this unique client. Personalize and focus on them.

1. Remember to accentuate the benefits, emphasize the points where you have a competitive advantage and the benefits the services or your products offer the customer.

2. At the same time, remember the more you know about your products or services and what they will do for the customer, the more likely you can prove to them its a valuable item for them.

DEALING WITH OBJECTIONS: Good customer services and sales skills require that you anticipate and deal with any reason the client may choose to challenge or not buy the particular service or product. Try to anticipate what the objections might be and have a response for those objections ready; you will be surprised at the results.

Make MoneyAlso, a “no” today may very well mean a “yes” tomorrow. Often, when presented with new concepts and options, the customer will not be ready to make the decision at that time. You go over the products or services, the benefits, what the services and products can do for the customer, and you will be surprised as to how you may very well receive a telephone call in the near future to take advantage of your previous offer.

If you are focusing on the customer, you know your products or services, deal with the decision maker and deal with any possible objections, you stand a great chance of being successful in your efforts.

If your client believe that you are working with their best interest at heart as well as your own, they are more likely to be honest about what they view as their alternatives, and more able to listen to what you have to say. This will, overall, make for a more positive business relationship environment and assist you in developing good business working relationships.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have business related questions, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks,Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

Protect Your Capital With A Company Formation Agreement

Protect Your Capital With A Company Formation Agreement published on

If you are entering into a business arrangement with another, you should consider whether or not you should enter into an agreement to form a Corporation or Limited Liability Company and which issues should be addressed in such agreement. If that was your line of thinking, then you’re already on the right track.

Without an agreement to form a Corporation or Limited Liability Company, there may be numerous uncertainties as to the relationship between the owners, the expectations and goals of the parties, and as to how the Corporation or Limited Liability Company should be managed and operated. Furthermore, without any written agreement to the contrary, the owners may have the right to share equally in the capital and profits of the business, even if that was not the original intent of the parties.

AgreementThe foregoing problems can be avoided simply by entering into a properly drafted agreement to form a Corporation or Limited Liability Company which can set out rules concerning matters such as percentage of ownership and ownership rights for the Corporation or Limited Liability Company, profit and loss allocation, management and decision making, permitted expenses, and determining how disputes will be handled.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have questions about Business Agreements, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.comfor assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks,Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills,Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

How To Profit Off Tax Delinquency

How To Profit Off Tax Delinquency published on

Know what you are purchasing

When you initially buy a lien, you are not buying an actual piece of land. Instead, your investment is on the debt or delinquent taxes of the property, who has fallen behind on payments. The buyer is given first position on the title of the property over others after he/she has paid the outstanding taxes. However, every State is different. Make sure you know the interest rate and return per year. Sale dates vary from State to State as well. Each state usually has one or two predetermined months any given year. The timing is important when calculating potential returns on your lien.

Tax Delinquency

Calculating Rate-of-Return on the Lien Certificate

When you try to buy a certificate, it is sold at face value plus interest and administrative charges. The lien interest rate is either bid down or the entire purchase price is bid up to a premium bid. The property owner must repay the lien amount to the certificate holder plus an interest rate between 16% and 18%. The property owner also has a set redemption period to pay the lien. If the lien is not paid by the set deadline, the certificate holder can foreclose and obtain the property deed.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have questions about buying tax liens, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks,Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

What Investors Look For In A Business

What Investors Look For In A Business published on

Seeking an investor to fund your new business can be stressful. Here are a few tips as to what investors look for when evaluating whether to invest in a new company to better prepare you to pitch an idea to investors:

 

  1. Financial performance. It is crucial that you are able to prove to potential investors that your company has excellent financial performance. Be prepared to answer questions about the financial stability of your company and ideas relating to potential areas of growth. Debt repayment plans should also be properly presented. Expect investors to evaluate the company’s revenue streams acquisition cost and turnover rates.
  2. Experience. Investors don’t want to invest in your mistakes, instead they seek experienced entrepreneurs and management teams with a track record of performance in the industry. Most investors will research your credentials and areas of expertise and your passion and commitment should clearly be evident to inspire confidence in investors.
  3. Uniqueness. Your company needs to be unique and you must prove to your investors that your market potential is big enough to make investing worthwhile. Investors look for features that distinguish your company from competitors such as intellectual property rights and distribution relationships.
  4. Large market size. The larger and more stable your customer base is, the stronger competitive advantage you will have when pitching to investors. A larger and more stable customer base will serve as proof that your company has a great impact to its target market.

 

InvestorsInvestors look for a company that can grow quickly and manage its growth. Investors must see that the company can generate significant profits beyond the initial product idea with adequate financial projections and a plan to include multiple sources of revenue.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have business related questions, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

Raising Minimum Wages May Also Mean Overtime For Managers

Raising Minimum Wages May Also Mean Overtime For Managers published on

A recent mandate by President Obama has raised the minimum wage for federal employees to $10.11, encouraging states to also raise their minimum wage and spurring debate in Congress to raise the private sector’s federal minimum wage. To small business owners in the private sector, the possible rise in employee minimum wage is a concern as businesses struggle to balance added costs and profit margins. However, talks on amending employee compensation have not ended at hourly minimum wage alone.

President Barack Obama signs executive orders outlining proposals to reduce gun violence, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in the South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

As part of the labor discussion, President Obama has also proposed that the U.S. Department of Labor consider raising the salary floor for overtime eligibility. Currently, salaried employees are exempt from overtime compensation if they earn at least $455 dollars per week or $23,660 per year. With a raised floor, a larger number of salaried employees with a higher wage would also be eligible for overtime. As small business owners face these possible new changes, many considering different strategies to help cover costs, including hiring fewer employees or shifting salaried employees to hourly wages. Upon release of their recommendations for the changed policies, the U.S. Department of Labor will open the floor for public comment.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have business related questions, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

Tax Law Has US Citizens Second Guessing US Citizenship

Tax Law Has US Citizens Second Guessing US Citizenship published on

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act or FACTCA is a law that is causing many U.S. Citizens to renounce their citizenship. FATCA requires the reporting of foreign accounts or assets by U.S. citizens and residents. IRS Form 8938 is used to report these assets. The effort and time to do this reporting as well as the potential cost are causing some U.S. citizens and residents to renounce their citizenship or forfeit their green cards. In addition foreign banks and other entities must now report the assets of Americans living outside the United States. There are some exceptions to FATCA.

 

<> on June 27, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

According to the IRS, “Taxpayers with a total value of specified foreign financial assets below a certain threshold do not have to file IRS Form 8938

  • If the total value is at or below $50,000 at the end of the tax year, there is no reporting requirement for the year, unless the total value was more than $75,000 at any time during the tax year
  • The threshold is higher for individuals who live outside the United States
  • Thresholds are different for married and single taxpayers
  • Taxpayers who do not have to file an income tax return for the tax year do not have to file IRS Form 8938, regardless of the value of their specified foreign financial assets.”

Americans have been renouncing citizenship in record numbers in order to avoid large tax bills.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have tax questions, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

The “Taxing” Consequences Of Identity Theft

The “Taxing” Consequences Of Identity Theft published on

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, TAX SEASON! That time of the year when thoughts of new cars and tropical vacations dance through your head. The ways to spend your refund are endless and irresponsible, but you desire a reward. With your W2s and receipts you race to your tax advisor, to hear how much Uncle Sam owes you. Suddenly shock sets in as your tax advisor informs you that your tax return was already filed and your refund collected. You stand irate and demand an explanation.

Identity TheftYour tax advisor adjusts his bifocals to explain that tax-related identity theft occurs when someone steals your Social Security number (“SSN”), files a tax return and fraudulently collects your refund. The theft of your SSN may go unnoticed until you attempt to file your tax return, a collection action is commenced against you for a year you did not file a tax return, you receive a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) informing you of suspicious return using your SSN or the letter indicates you received wages from an employer you never worked for. But by then the thief has absconded with your refund and is enjoying your tropical vacation, leaving you wondering what to do.

What you need to do next

If your SSN is stolen and identity jeopardized, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), and contact your financial institutions to close any accounts compromised by identity thieves. Additionally, immediately respond to any IRS notices, complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, and if your electronic tax return is rejected due to duplicate filing under your SSN, file your return by paper and submit it to the IRS. Also, continue to pay your taxes, because while having your identity stolen may be stressful, the consequence of the IRS are taxing!

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have questions about identity theft, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

Microloans To Raise Money For Your Business

Microloans To Raise Money For Your Business published on

Microloans are loans that are usually under $50,000. Microloans can usually be obtained with more ease and in less time than a traditional loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a microloan program that lists eligibility requirements as well as the repayment terms, interests rates, and fees. The SBA provides that:

“Use of Microloans Proceeds Microloans can be used for:
Working Capital
Inventory or Supplies
Furniture or Fixtures
Machinery or Equipment

Proceeds from an SBA microloan cannot be used to pay existing debts or to purchase real estate.”

The microloan program operates with intermediary lenders being provided the money for microloans by the SBA, The intermediary lender decides the lending and credit requirements.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have questions about microloans, call (800) 734-9900 orclubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company

Don’t Misclassify Your Employees

Don’t Misclassify Your Employees published on

Many persons you may hire as independent contractors may not be so according to recent court rulings around the country. More persons in fields with independent contractors customary in a business model increasingly filing wage and hour claims as employees. Contributing to this uptick in claims is an awareness of plaintiff’s lawyer of successful claims and closer scrutiny by agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor. Many employers favor independent contractor status to avoid paying minimum wage, overtime, workers’ compensation, insurance and other benefits. However, employers may be liable for these costs as well as additional penalties if they misclassify an employee as an independent contractor. The following are some factors to take into consideration when evaluating whether a person is an employee or independent contractor:

  • The degree of control that the putative employer has over the manner in which the work is performed
  • The worker’s opportunities for profit or loss dependent on his managerial skill
  • The worker’s investment  in equipment or material or his employment of other workers
  • The degree of skill required for the work
  • The performance or duration of the working relationship
  • The degree to which the services rendered are  an integral part of the putative employer’s business

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have questions about hiring process, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company Changes.

Is This The Right Time To Start A Business?

Is This The Right Time To Start A Business? published on

 

With the 2016 presidential election right around the corner and the race to become the most powerful leader in the world, it is no surprise that the subject of  “small business” is starting to pop up more and more in the campaign trails and televised debates. Every candidate, whether a Democrat or Republican, has a different strategy when it comes to startups leading to entrepreneurs wondering if this is the right time to start a business. We’ve heard many ask if it’d be best to wait after we elect a new president. The answer is always NOW! We want to help you understand the ins and outs of starting a business and to succeed as an entrepreneur.

Many entrepreneurs rush in and launch their business without the proper advice and without thinking it through. To begin, seek the advice of a professional, attorney and accountant, and ask yourself a few questions:

  1. Who will you sell to? Who is your market share? The more narrowly you are able to define your target market, the better. Whether it’s teenagers, elderly, midsized businesses, hotels, narrowing the scope helps you focus to their specific needs. You will need to do some market research to discover the most profitable target market for your services or products.
  2. Who is your competition? Have your friends close, and your competition even closer. When you conduct the market research, it will reveal your competition. Who are they, what are they offering, and what you can do better. What are their key advantages and selling points, what can you offer that is better or different to meet the customers’ needs?
  3. Where will you be located? Many businesses today are virtual; they have a telephone, fax, scanner and that is it. But location, depending on the business, may affect your startup costs drastically if it has to be a brick and mortar business. Do you need to rent a commercial business location or could you get by in a small space or working from a home office?
  4. How much will it costs to get started? How much capital do you need to start this business? Be sure to include incorporation costs, costs of location costs of inventory, equipment, taxes and employees. A good rule of thumb is to have enough to finance your business for 6 to 18 months.
  5. Who will do the work? Do you need to hire staff? If so, that adds to the expenses. How much of the work can be done by you and your loved ones? Many times clients start as a one man show. As demand for your products or services increases, so would you need to evaluate manpower. Take a look at the situation on a day-to-day basis.

Taking all these things into consideration can help you start your business or your second business. Always do your homework, but do not delay in taking the plunge; if you do not risk you will not reap the rewards!

Check out our Radio Show for valuable insight from a seasoned entrepreneur on How to Start a Business.

If you are a member of Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.’s General Counsel Club and have questions about starting or running a business, call (800) 734-9900 or clubassist@amerilawyer.com for assistance. Remember, as a member of the  General Counsel Club, you receive unlimited legal, business, credit and tax advice all year long.

Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. is a corporate law firm with its main offices located in Miami, Florida with offices throughout the United States. As a law firm, we do more than just help you form your business entity. We stand ready to help with the maintenance of your legal business entity! We will assist you with Incorporation Service, Trademarks, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Legal Counsel, Wills, Trusts, Agreements & Leases, Corporate & Company Changes.

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