The start of a new year is a time for a clean start. Resolutions are made, you clear your files of last year's paperwork, and you swear you are going to start the year off keeping your financial house in order.
It all sounds good when you say it on January 1st. But now, after only one month into the New Year, how many of you have done ANY of the above? I can't raise my hand, can you? Here are a few easy to follow tips that will benefit all business owners.
Learn to use the software you have
If you purchased software last year, and it's still shrink wrapped and sitting on your bookcase, get it open and install it onto your computer. Until you do that, you've done nothing more than waste money. You shouldn't have to hire a professional to handle the software installation.
If it's already installed, but you can't seem to figure out what to do next, read the manual, do the tutorial, ask for help. Do whatever is necessary for you to learn how to use the software that you spent good money on. You had a need when you purchased the software, and until you start using it, the need remains unfulfilled.
Automate common tasks
Once you've got the software you already purchased up and running put together a software budget for this year. Start by making a list of all the work-related tasks you wish were automated. Here are just a few ideas: contact management, inventory management, project management, bookkeeping, billing, appointment and employee scheduling and your new employee orientation program.
Next prioritize your software automation wish list. Put together a realistic budget for each of the four quarters. Then as money allows, purchase one piece of software at a time. Then, remember to actually install it AND use it!
Protect your Data
If you've not already done so, you must install virus checking software on every desktop that receives email. Failure to do this one thing can stop your business dead in its tracks. You don't have to spend a lot of money on this type of software; it's readily available and relatively inexpensive. Regardless of the cost, its cost is far lower than the price you will pay once your computers become infected. The costs of lost productivity as well as lost data will be steep.
Another thing you need to do to protect your valuable company data is to install a backup and restore utility and BE SURE TO USE IT! The price of this type of product will vary, and the amount you spend will probably coincide with the amount of information you need to backup. The more data, the more you'll pay for protection.
So many business owners purchase these types of software products only after a catastrophe has occurred. It's true that it's better late than never. But be smart and be prepared for disaster because it will happen.
Order the CD version
In some cases, you'll be able to purchase and download your new software right from the vendor's website. You'll have your new software installed and ready to use in no time. But, should your hard drive ever crash, you'll need the CD version of the software so that you can reinstall it right away. Most software vendors let download customers buy the CD at a huge discount. It's worth the money because, remember, hard drives will crash.
Register All Your Software
It's annoying, but important. You'll want to keep informed of such things as new versions and other important software-related issues.
And there you have it ? five simple software tips for business owners.
Copyright ? 2005 Cavyl Stewart. Find out just the programs you need to market, do finances, spiff up your site and more. Visit: http://www.find-small-business-software.com/software-directory.php - Also, be sure to check out my Exclusive, 100% free ecourses.
kitchen deep cleaning Deerfield ..There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
Just when the entire state was kissing Wichita goodbye, economically... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
Have you ever heard the phrase, 'PREPONDERANCE OF PROOF'?I recently... Read More
As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More
Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More
The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
One of the major complaints in the QSR Quick Service-Fast... Read More
There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More
Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
The book, "Become the Squeaky Wheel," by New Hampshire author... Read More
A few years ago, I visited Beijing for the first... Read More
Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting... Read More
You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More
Are you a motivational speaker who consistently gets rave reviews... Read More
Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More
Time. As a small business owner, it's the commodity you... Read More
Business card size works well for invitations to special events.What... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
Self-cleaning glass has been talked about a lot, with such... Read More
What is the Big Race all about when it comes... Read More
Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More
I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More
At one point or another, almost every business runs short... Read More
interior house cleaning Highland Park ..A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
No, I'm not talking about gambling or dairy cows ?... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
The stock market is still on a wild roller coaster... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
Many businesses offer small business franchise opportunities. There are many... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
Concrete Roof Tile Business: During the 2004 summer season, storms... Read More
Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More
How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More
One of the most common issues that comes up for... Read More
I agree that knowledge should be free, but the next... Read More
Whether you are an Entrepreneur or Business Professional there are... Read More
Search Engines account for almost 90% of all web traffic!In... Read More
So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More
Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I... Read More
1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts... Read More
Quality control in franchising companies is paramount and all franchising... Read More
Small Business |