[email protected] / August 24, 2026

Experience That Goes Beyond Accounting: Unified Accountants Inc.

I’m pleased to share this video on behalf of Unified Accountants Inc., an experienced B.C.-based accounting firm. Give it a watch and find out how Unified Accountants Inc. goes above and beyond for all clients big and small.

Unified Accountants Inc. is a full-service accounting firm providing customized tax, accounting, and business advisory services to individuals, small businesses, and corporations. With offices in both Surrey and Smithers, B.C., they serve a wide range of industries, including retail, construction, oil & gas, seasonal operations, and consulting.

Learn more about Unified Accountants Inc. on their webpage: www.unifiedaccountants.com

 

[email protected] / August 18, 2026

Turning Everyday Conversations into Business Opportunities

It is a common misconception that business connections are only made through polished elevator pitches or planned presentations to a room full of prospects. In reality, the best business connections can often be made through everyday interactions; the neighbor you walk by every morning, the regular at the coffee shop you frequent, or the supplier you see every other week at the office.

In this issue of the Pulse, we discuss how true connection begins with conversation.

Networking events and formal, scheduled business meetings, while effective, are not exclusive paths to forging prosperous business relationships. Many opportunities come from being an active and engaging listener and having an open and curious mindset.

I recently ran into an old friend. We got to catching up on each others lives and she mentioned some issues she’d been running into lately with the restaurant she owns. The onset of rising ingredient costs had made it impossible for her to keep costs under control without making difficult decisions around menu prices and portion sizes. It wasn’t a sales conversation, and I certainly wasn’t looking for one. It was simply two friends talking. Yet by the end of our conversation, I realized it was a perfect example of how everyday discussions can uncover opportunities.

Reflect on your day-to-day; what interactions do you often have? Next time one arises, approach it with these tips at the forefront of your mind:

  • Be genuinely curious
    • ‘What changes have surprised you most over the last few years?’
  • Listen for challenges rather than waiting for an opportunity to sell
    • ‘What area of the business is causing the most headaches right now?’
  • Ask follow-up questions
    • ‘What have you tried so far to address the problem?’
  • Focus first on how you may be able to help
    • ‘Is there anything you’ve been wanting to look into but haven’t had the time?’
  • Stay engaged
    • “Has anything improved since you first started dealing with those challenges?’

When my friend explained the impact rising ingredient costs were having on her restaurant, I could have immediately started offering suggestions. Instead, asking a few simple questions: “What has been the biggest challenge?” and “Are there any other expenses putting pressure on the business?” would lead to a better understanding of her situation and would lead to a much more meaningful conversation.

These tips still apply in the traditional sense too; be curious, attentive and helpful when speaking to a potential prospect, during a scheduled pitch meeting or when discussing referral opportunities.

But remember that, often, the most valuable business conversations don’t feel like business conversation at all. Your next casual run-in may just lead to discovering opportunity where you least expected it.

[email protected] / August 12, 2026

FICA Taxes – William McKissock and Naomi Kent

“We can help businesses save almost $600 per year for each employee, by reducing their FICA taxes.”

Schooley Mitchell has the knowledge and expertise to reduce your annual FICA expenses, while maintaining or including additional benefits for your employees.

[email protected] / August 11, 2026

Common telecom billing errors, and how to avoid them

Telecom bills have been notorious for billing errors, ever since a 2005 Gartner study revealed up to 80% of invoices contained some kind of mistake.  

Since then, better technology and automation have improved the situation, but telecom billing errors should still be taken seriously. Even today, that number is as high as 15%.  

In this article, we look at the most common telecom billing errors, and how your business can take measures to prevent losing money to them.  

How are you billed for telecom services? 

Your business’ telecom invoice is likely made up of two main components; equipment rental and usage fees. If you own all your equipment outright, then you will only need to worry about billing errors in the usage portion.  

Billing errors from the vendor.  

Many billing errors are mistakes on the vendor’s end. It’s important to scrutinize – or have a professional audit – your telecom bills for these errors. They can include: 

  • Billed for disconnected services – sometimes, after cancelling a service such as an extra phone line or data add-on, a customer may still find themselves incurring charges for the extra service they did not receive.  
  • Billed for another customer’s services – these kinds of mistakes happen and can be quite costly if not flagged. 
  • Non-recurring errors – there can be many one-time mistakes, such as incorrect service or overage charges, that are easily resolved as long as they are noticed.  
  • Tax errors – if your business operates in multiple nations, states, or regions, multiple tax laws and processes may leave you susceptible to errors you don’t understand or know to look out for.  
  • Unfulfilled credits – if you’re promised a credit or discount from an agent, it is prudent to ensure this promise has been fulfilled. 

You’re paying for the wrong plan.  

Sometimes it’s less that there is a mistake on your bill, and more that you’re continuing to pay for the wrong service for your business. This can look like: 

  • Paying for excess usage – when your plan doesn’t cover the full scope of your needs, you will end up paying costly overage fees.  
  • Paying for a plan that’s more than you need – likewise, if you are only using a fraction of your plan’s allowances each pay period, you are likely paying for a plan that is more expensive than it needs to be.  
  • One size fits all plans or bundles – some vendors only offer bundles that aren’t customizable to each customer, meaning you’re likely not paying for optimized solutions.  
  • Outdated plans – in the ever-changing, competitive world of telecom, plans and market rates change quickly, meaning the length of your contract may mean you’re paying for an out-of-date plan, and therefore, not getting fair market prices.  

What can you do to avoid overpaying? 

The best strategy to avoid overpaying for billing errors is vigilance and attention to detail.  

First, it’s important to know what you’ve agreed to pay for, so you know if you’re invoiced for a service incorrectly. This means taking the time to review your bills every payment period and asking questions about any charge you don’t recognize.  

Likewise, when it comes time to reevaluate your contract, consider shopping around. Making a change to your services can be daunting, but your business’ needs are unique, and the provider that can best accommodate that individuality will likely optimize your cost.  

If this all sounds overwhelming and time consuming, that’s because it can be. We highly recommend working alongside professionals, who have the expertise in reviewing bills and identifying errors.  

In conclusion… 

While the rate of telecom billing errors has decreased in the past twenty years, they are still prevalent enough to be concerning. However, attention to detail and proactivity can save your business significantly in the face of incorrect invoices.  

[email protected] / August 10, 2026

William McKissock – Interview With John Campbell of The Hive Ballroom

I recently sat down with with John Campbell, owner and studio director of The Hive Ballroom. In this interview, John discusses his professional dance background, his journey to starting his own dance studio in Tampa, and some of the unexpected health and social benefits associated with dance.

The Hive Ballroom is the premier certified dance studio in Tampa, Florida. With over twenty years of service, The Hive is the perfect environment for private lessons, group classes, kids private lessons and wedding dances, catering to all levels from the very first steps all the way to U.S. champions!

[email protected] / August 4, 2026

Why I Love My Bad Days

One month before the Rio Olympics, runner Alexi Pappas couldn’t hit her splits in practice. She was begging her watch to change its mind. Then her coach told her to take it off — and shared the best advice she’s ever received. That single piece of wisdom led her to break a national record and changed how she chases her goals, carrying her through ultramarathons, a memoir and three films. Bad days aren’t a detour, she says — they mean you’re right on track. 

[email protected] / July 29, 2026

Cutting Costs, Not Jobs – William McKissock and Naomi Kent

“You shouldn’t look at the staff first; you should look at other, lower-hanging fruit.”

Cutting costs doesn’t mean cutting jobs. At Schooley Mitchell, we can reduce your vendor expenses to save you money on telecommunications, waste, utilities, and more, so you have more budget to spend where it matters.

 

[email protected] / July 28, 2026

Are you sure you’re paying a fair price for medical-grade oxygen?

Many businesses across the healthcare, veterinary, and med spa industries, among others, need medical-grade oxygen in compressed gas form to operate.  When it comes to essential expenses, it’s easy to take the number on your invoice at face value. You pay what you need to pay to keep things running. 

But how do you know you’re paying a fair price for your medical-grade oxygen? In this article, we take a look at some of the variables that might be impacting your invoices. 

A lot factors into your compressed gas bill. 

What a business or practice might be paying for compressed medical-grade oxygen is dependent on a number of different conditions. Some of those include: 

  • Your location 
  • Whether you have a set contract 
  • Whether your deliveries are scheduled 
  • Whether your delivery schedule is optimized to your usage needs 
  • Whether you own or rent your tanks 
  • Additional fees and service charges levied by your provider 

Without all these variables being considered, there’s a chance you might not be paying fair or best-in-class rates for your compressed oxygen. 

Location is everything.  

Depending on the location of your operation, the cost of medical-grade oxygen may vary. There are several reasons for this, including regional market rivalries, local laws, and delivery distances. Many of these things will ultimately be out of your control. 

Your contract determines your prices. 

A contract may protect you or it may harm you. If you’re locked in at great prices, contracts can keep your rates consistent and fair. If not? They can saddle you with inflated rates and cancellation fees if you choose to look elsewhere. Understanding your contract, if you have one, is paramount. 

Proper delivery scheduling saves you money. 

As one industry expert explains, “for some businesses, the cost of running out of oxygen is perhaps higher than any other cost. If you’re using delivered oxygen to support the life of animals (e.g. in a vet facility), or aquatic life (in a fish farm), running out unexpectedly could result in a significant financial loss.” 

Ensuring your delivery schedule matches your usage is critical. Running out of gas, as previously mentioned, is not an option. If it does happen, calling for an expedited delivery will cost you far more than a scheduled one. 

Owning vs. renting. 

There are different considerations for price with owning versus renting oxygen cylinders. On the one hand, renting comes with regular fees. On the other hand, purchasing comes with an upfront investment, as well as replacements or repair over time. Likewise, some providers will deny refill service if they deem your tanks unsafe, so maintenance is very important.  

Are you being charged additional fees? 

Some providers of medical-grade oxygen may charge additional fees as part of your invoice. Whether or not these are standard or fair depends on each scenario. Understanding these fees is important to your budget and ensuring you’re not overspending.  

In conclusion… 

Your operation depends on compressed medical-grade oxygen. But are you confident that your bills are set up in your best interest? With all the factors that comprise your invoice every pay cycle, it’s easy to lose track of what is optimal. 

[email protected] / July 21, 2026

The Fear of Public Speaking and How to Overcome It

Imagine you’re standing in front of a room full of people. Your hands are shaking, your heart is racing, and you feel like you have a lump in your throat. You go to speak and start your presentation, but nothing comes out. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for many individuals who have a fear of public speaking.

In this issue of the Pulse, we’ll discuss the fear of public speaking and ways you can overcome that fear.

Public speaking is a common fear that plagues many individuals. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine, about 77% of the general population has a fear of public speaking.

The level of fear differs from person to person, with some only experiencing a little nervousness, while for others it can be completely debilitating. This fear can present itself through physical symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, a dry mouth, a rapid heartbeat and nausea.

However, the effects of public speaking don’t stop there. Having a fear of public speaking can have long-term effects, such as lower educational achievement and occupational impairment, as public speaking skills are valuable in higher education and the workforce, particularly at the leadership level. So, how can you overcome your fear of public speaking?

Practice

Be sure to practice your presentation ahead of time. This could look like practicing your presentation out loud by yourself or in front of a few trusted colleagues. You may also find it helpful to record yourself presenting it out loud so you can listen to it back and look for areas of improvement.

Know your material

Ensure the topic you’re presenting is one you’re comfortable with and that you know your material. If you know your material, you’re more likely to feel confident when presenting, and if you happen to forget what you practiced, you will have your knowledge to fall back on.

Join a group

If you really want to work on your public speaking skills and practicing on your own isn’t cutting it for you, consider joining a group to further develop this skill. One of the most well-known groups is Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person, but there are a variety of groups you can join, as well as classes and workshops you can take.

Focus on a friendly face

If you’re presenting in front of a large group of people, try focusing on one friendly face in the crowd and pretend you’re presenting to just that individual. Presenting to a large audience can be daunting, whereas presenting to one individual can feel more conversational in nature.

Take some deep breaths before

Before you begin a presentation, take a few deep breaths. While this may seem simple, it can be very effective at calming your nervous system. As stated in a Yale School of Medicine article, titled The Power of the Breath, “Through the action of our diaphragm, slow, even breaths that originate deep within the abdomen stimulate the vagus nerve in a way that signals safety and cues our bodies and minds to relax, restore, and release chronic and unhealthy patterns.”

In conclusion…

A fear of public speaking is a very real fear that affects the majority of the population and while it can feel insurmountable, there are methods you can use to overcome it for the benefit of your own well-being and the advancement of your education and employment.