January is traditionally a challenging month for Brazilians' finances. Accounts such as IPVA, IPTU, school supplies, and accumulated bills from the holiday period can compromise the budget and make it difficult to start the year with financial balance. For Guy Peixoto, a serial entrepreneur and author of "101 Essential Principles of Entrepreneurship," a good financial plan for 2025 is the key to facing these challenges and achieving goals throughout the year. Check out the seven essential tips from the expert to organize your finances and start 2025 strategically

1. Know your finances

The first step to effective planning is to have clarity about your financial situation. "List all your sources of income and all fixed and variable expenses," advises Guy. Knowing exactly how much comes in and goes out is essential to identify possible adjustments and avoid surprises.

2. Prioritize debts

January is a month when accumulated bills can weigh heavily. Guy recommends prioritizing debt payments to avoid interest and fines. "Organize your pending issues by urgency and renegotiate payment terms if necessary," he/she/they suggest.

3. Create a realistic monthly budget

Set a cap on your monthly expenses, considering your fixed, variable, and unforeseen costs. "A realistic budget should foresee a balance between paying bills, saving money, and still having room for occasional expenses," explains the specialist.

4. Prepare for January expenses in advance

Accounts like IPVA, IPTU, and school supplies are not surprises, so it's important to plan for them from the previous year. "Start saving small amounts monthly for these expenses already in November or December. This way, the impact in January will be smaller," advises Guy.

5. Set clear financial goals for 2025

Having well-defined objectives is essential to stay focused throughout the year. "Set goals such as creating an emergency fund, investing in a course, or even a trip. This will give purpose to your financial efforts," says Guy.

6. Set aside an emergency fund

Unexpected events happen, and having a financial reserve can prevent debt. Guy recommends saving at least 10% of your monthly income in a separate account. "This fund should only be used for emergency situations, such as medical expenses or unexpected repairs," he warns.

7. Start investing

Even with a tight budget, it is possible to invest. "Start with low-risk options, such as Treasury Direct or fixed income funds, which allow for small investments and are ideal for beginners. The important thing is to start and develop the habit," explains the specialist.

Guy Peixoto emphasizes that financial planning is a continuous process that requires discipline and adaptation to changes. "Facing your finances with responsibility and strategy is the first step to turning your dreams into reality. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can start today," he concludes.

December arrives as an inevitable invitation to reflection: unmet goals, abandoned plans, and the feeling that the year went by too quickly. For those about to enter the job market in 2025, the timing is strategic. The first stage does not begin when the student sits in a organization's chair, but now, in the way they organize ideas and prepare for this leap.

Virgilio Marques dos Santos, co-founder of FM2S Educação e Consultoria, a startup based in the Unicamp Scientific and Technological Park, and career manager, emphasizes that planning is the key to turning the first contact with the job market into a memorable experience. "More than organizing tasks, planning opens paths to the future. It's pulling reality by the hair and steering it in the direction you want," he affirms.

Santos – who acts as a mentor and has extensive experience in training corporate teams – emphasizes that preparation for the internship requires an honest assessment of skills, interests, and, most importantly, what still needs to be learned. "Admitting that you don't know much is a powerful starting point. It frees you to seek knowledge and show the market that you are willing to learn," explains the expert.

For him, the phase preceding the first stage should be seen as a pre-season, similar to athletes' preparation before major competitions. During this period, it's worth investing in courses, books, and even videos available on social media and YouTube that help develop technical and behavioral skills. "Tools like Excel, for example, are the bread and butter of the job market. And today, it is possible to learn almost everything for free, with quality online content," he/she/they suggests.

Another valuable tip from Virgilio is the strategic use of LinkedIn, which he considers underestimated by many young people. "It's not just a social network for older professionals. It's a space where you can connect with companies and people in your field, build a reputation, and even discover internship opportunities. But you need to use it wisely, avoiding clichés and highlighting who you really are in your profile," he emphasizes.

Santos also points out that the planning of an internship should not be limited to the career. Balancing work, study, and leisure is essential to prevent early burnout and ensure that young professionals grow sustainably. "It’s not possible to forget that you are your biggest project. The internship is important, but your health and well-being are too. You need to create a routine that allows for both learning and rest," she says.

For Virgilio, 2025 has the potential to be a year of transformation in the lives of those who carefully plan their next steps. It encourages young people not to accept any job just because of the urgency to start. "The perfect internship doesn't exist, but that doesn't mean you should accept just anything. Choosing something that makes sense for your journey, even if it takes more time, makes all the difference," he reflects.

Finally, what makes a good internship is not only what the company offers, but what the professional brings to it. "Curiosity, desire to learn, and courage to start are the qualities that the market values. Plan, dream, and believe in your potential. The future begins now," concludes the manager.

For companies looking to grow rapidly, success depends on a well-structured sales strategy. However, this path is not free of challenges. The constant pressure of competition and the difficulty in attracting qualified leads are common obstacles. Without an effective commercial strategy, these problems are enough to block a development journey.

Research dataSales Overview, conducted in 2022 by RD Station, reveal that a large number of companies still underestimate the investment needed in the sales sector. Only 34% have a dedicated person or team for data analysis, while 42% do not even regularly review their sales processes.

According toJhonny Martins, vice-president ofSERAC, a corporate solutions hub, as well as a reference in the accounting, legal, educational, and technology fields, the ability to sell is essential for the success of any company. "This mindset must come from leadership. The first and most important salesperson in a company is the owner himself, who should be at the forefront and understand the value of this skill to drive the business," he states.

According to the executive, the entrepreneur needs to adopt a sales-oriented mindset from the beginning of the business. “At SERAC, we have a clear example. Our parents have always been good salespeople, even before becoming entrepreneurs. This concept must be at the core of any company,” he evaluates.

Jhonny believes that by prioritizing sales, the business owner naturally invests in the elements necessary to strengthen the sales department. Growing quickly requires more than relying on a single person or channel. The ideal is to build a skilled team capable of multiplying knowledge, adding value to clients, and highlighting the business's differentiators, explains.

The executive emphasizes that the company's founder should focus on building strategies, closing deals, strengthening relationships with clients, and seeking new market opportunities. "It is important to remember, however, that even if the owner has sales skills and inspires the team, he will need a well-trained team. It is essential that the founder understands the importance of sales for the success of the business. Those who ignore this tend to underestimate the necessary investments in the area," he states.

For Jhonny Martins, the sales area can operate through various channels, such as social media, events, and referrals within the existing customer base. However, he emphasizes that any tactic is more effective when there is a solid foundation. "This involves having commercial awareness, investing in quality training, and having a well-prepared sales team. This effort should come from the business owner and be reflected throughout the entire team," he concludes.

Check out four ways suggested by Jhonny Martins to develop a sales-focused mindset:

For companies looking to grow rapidly, success depends on a well-structured sales strategy. However, this path is not free of challenges. The constant pressure of competition and the difficulty in attracting qualified leads are common obstacles. Without an effective commercial strategy, these problems are enough to block a development journey.

Research dataSales Overview, conducted in 2022 by RD Station, reveal that a large number of companies still underestimate the investment needed in the sales sector. Only 34% have a dedicated person or team for data analysis, while 42% do not even regularly review their sales processes.

According toJhonny Martins, vice-president ofSERAC, a corporate solutions hub, as well as a reference in the accounting, legal, educational, and technology fields, the ability to sell is essential for the success of any company. "This mindset must come from leadership. The first and most important salesperson in a company is the owner himself, who should be at the forefront and understand the value of this skill to drive the business," he states.

According to the executive, the entrepreneur needs to adopt a sales-oriented mindset from the beginning of the business. “At SERAC, we have a clear example. Our parents have always been good salespeople, even before becoming entrepreneurs. This concept must be at the core of any company,” he evaluates.

Jhonny believes that by prioritizing sales, the business owner naturally invests in the elements necessary to strengthen the sales department. Growing quickly requires more than relying on a single person or channel. The ideal is to build a skilled team capable of multiplying knowledge, adding value to clients, and highlighting the business's differentiators, explains.

The executive emphasizes that the company's founder should focus on building strategies, closing deals, strengthening relationships with clients, and seeking new market opportunities. "It is important to remember, however, that even if the owner has sales skills and inspires the team, he will need a well-trained team. It is essential that the founder understands the importance of sales for the success of the business. Those who ignore this tend to underestimate the necessary investments in the area," he states.

For Jhonny Martins, the sales area can operate through various channels, such as social media, events, and referrals within the existing customer base. However, he emphasizes that any tactic is more effective when there is a solid foundation. "This involves having commercial awareness, investing in quality training, and having a well-prepared sales team. This effort should come from the business owner and be reflected throughout the entire team," he concludes.

Check out four ways suggested by Jhonny Martins to develop a sales-focused mindset:

• Set well-defined goals: The company must have specific, measurable and achievable objectives for the short and long term.
• Invest in training: Selling is something that can be learned over time, so ongoing education is key to overcoming challenges.
• Listen to customer demandsGood salespeople are usually good listeners. After all, by understanding the customer's pain, it is possible to offer customized solutions to solve it.
• Use technology to automate and analyze: From social networks to tools like CRM (Customer Relationship Management), there are many possibilities to analyze interactions and offer customized solutions.

Cart abandonment is one of the biggest challenges faced by Brazilian online stores. The dropout rate represents a significant loss of revenue and a waste of effort. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior is essential to creating effective recovery strategies and increasing conversions.

In Brazil, the cart abandonment rate in e-commerce can reach 82%, according to E-commerce Radar data. One of the main reasons for this is consumers' frustration with unexpected additional costs, such as high shipping fees or extra charges.

According to a study by the Baymard Institute, 48% of customers abandon their shopping carts due to higher-than-expected final costs. Furthermore, the delay in delivery is also a crucial factor. A Yampi survey reveals that 36.5% of shopping carts are abandoned due to delays in delivery or production times.

Another recurring factor is the complexity at checkout. Long processes, the requirement for many data, or limited payment options discourage the consumer. According to SPC data, 79% of Brazilians prefer to parcel their purchases, and the lack of flexible alternatives can be a decisive reason for abandonment. Additionally, 24% abandoned their cart because they were forced to create an account, according to the Baymard Institute study.

Technical failures also have a significant impact. Slow sites, loading errors, or system problems are common causes of frustration, especially during periods of high demand. "If the website is not prepared to handle a large volume of traffic, it not only deters the customer at that moment but also harms the brand's perception for future purchases," warns Claudio Dias, CEO of Magis5, a marketplace automation and integration hub.

To avoid these problems, platforms like Magis5 offer integration and automation solutions that ensure the scalability of e-commerce businesses. By integrating their products with marketplaces such as Magalu, Shein, Shopee, and Mercado Livre, retailers can rely on the necessary infrastructure and process automation for creating listings, stock verification, and issuing invoices, reducing errors and streamlining operations.

Automated inventory management is a crucial differentiator. By ensuring product availability and speeding up shipping, technology contributes to a better shopping experience and prevents customers from abandoning their purchase due to the unavailability of the desired item. "After all, having visibility but not having enough stock to meet demand can tarnish the reputation just the same," says Claudio Dias.

According to the specialist, an efficient system that constantly updates product availability and anticipates restocking is essential to ensure that customer expectations are met. And more: speed in dispatching is also essential to build trust and have satisfied customers.

Additionally, promotions and discount coupons can be the final push for the customer to complete the purchase, especially for items considered more personal or desirable. For the CEO of Magis5, these strategies not only increase sales but also reduce marketing costs. To give an idea, emails with special offers sent after cart abandonment are highly effective in recovering sales, with open rates of 45% and conversion rates of 10%, according to the Baymard Institute.

Finally, clear and friendly return policies are essential to reassure customers. "By implementing these strategies, companies can turn their visitors into loyal customers and significantly increase their online revenue," concludes Dias.

Standardization in the handling of returns has become the main focus for large companies, especially in the telecommunications sector, which deals daily with the massive return of equipment. In 2022, the world generated 62 million tons of electronic waste, with a projected increase of 33% by 2030.

In addition to the increasing volume of returns, which already poses a challenge, there is also a lack of uniformity in the receiving and control processes of these items at Distribution Centers (DCs). In the telecommunications sector, where the return of equipment such as modems and routers is routine, the mismatch between reverse logistics and inventory control has generated high costs, reaching R$100 million, in addition to loss of efficiency.

Therefore, companies face difficulties in carrying out proper processing in the distribution centers, which results in physical and fiscal disorganization, directly impacting their operations. To solve this question, thePostalGowcreated the DevolvaFácil solution, a platform that allows standardizing the handling of returns, one of the main logistical bottlenecks in telecommunications, with nationwide reach. "The reverse logistics process does not end with the return. It also involves handling and inspecting the items according to the standards set by the client," explains Carlos Tanaka, CEO of PostalGow.

Standardizing distribution centers

The company's major innovation lies in the adoption of an integrated system that automates and standardizes the handling of returned products. The platform allows end customers to return equipment at drop-off points, facilitating the shipping and transportation process to distribution centers, ensuring service coverage across the entire country and logistical efficiency.

Upon arriving at the CDs, the goods undergo a thorough inspection, which includes verifying the contents of the packages and ensuring compliance with established return standards. "The solution allows the system to make the conference processes faster and more efficient, ensuring that each item is handled correctly and standardized, significantly reducing losses and errors in inventory control," highlights Tanaka.

This level of standardization is a strategic solution for companies facing overcrowded distribution centers and the need to maintain strict inventory control. The use of advanced technologies, such as smart cameras, assists in automating the verification process and monitoring each stage of the return. This not only reduces processing time but also decreases human errors and enhances the quality of the service provided.

Ensuring the operational efficiency of companies

The platform enables integration with company ERP systems, allowing synergy between logistics and management processes. With this integration, companies can monitor in real-time all stages of the return, from voucher issuance to handling at the distribution center, ensuring complete transparency and control.

For Tanaka, standardization in handling returns is the key to improving operational efficiency. "With the automation of the process and the standardization of the treatment of returned products, we are able to optimize the distribution centers and offer a much more efficient return experience for the end consumer," concludes the CEO.