Check out the tips:
- CHOOSE THE EQUIPMENT CORRECTLY
In accounting for the investments that will be required to open a business, it is impossible not to consider spending on computers, servers, notebooks or tablets. Main allies when it comes to keeping track of the business, these tools deserve attention at the time of purchase. If you base it on price and save money it may mean spending more lately. Also, you should not buy a tablet if it is not really needed. Purchase equipment that is sufficient for the day to day business (an architecture office, which will use “heavy” programs, certainly will not have the same equipment that a deposit of materials only needs to control the stock and issue NF) if you need to go to the customer, take mobility into account. Do not forget the server, if the company has more than three users – will facilitate the centralization of files and will be equipment that will work for you.
- PAY ATTENTION TO THE PROGRAMS YOU WILL USE
As with the choice of equipment, companies must use the right software. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the best option for each business. Choosing the best program for day to day business is not easy, be it a text editor or an ERP. However, it is critical to properly analyze the solutions (and if possible test them) to avoid unnecessary investments or future regrets. Here’s a note: Regardless of the size of your business, never opt for pirated software because the issues it can bring will compromise your business.
- SELECT COLLABORATORS FROM THE INTERNET
Currently, there are large internet portals specializing in the selection of candidates and availability of vacancies. They offer various services, such as screening of resumes according to the profile of the vacancy, online tests for those interested, salary base, among others. And the best thing is that for businesses, usually, these services are free, because portals charge those interested by the vacancies and announcement of their resumes.
- MAKE MEETINGS ONLINE
Whenever possible, make conferences over the internet. This avoids unnecessary shifts (even more in large cities) and saves time. There are free services on the internet, but sometimes even those that are paid are more economical than a trip, for example.
- USE INSTANT MESSAGE TOOLS
A good way to lower telephony costs is to use programs like MSN or SKYPE to talk to customers and suppliers. In addition to the message feature, some even offer support for VoIP calls, chats with more than two participants, video calls, file transfer etc.
- LEAVE THE PAPER
After a short time of activity, any company already starts to accumulate a large amount of paper – invoices, contracts, collection guides – which, in a way, brings additional costs to the companies, since some documents must be stored by more than ten years. Keeping these documents in a digital way brings savings and agility in the consultation of information, in addition to having legal validity. Today, solutions for smaller companies are already on the market.
- SMARTPHONES ARE NOT LUXURY
Today, even the price is no longer an excuse for those who do not have a smartphone. There are options for every pocket and surely the productivity gain will be worth it. Whether it’s simply controlling your schedule and tasks or even remotely accessing the office, this type of mobile phone helps the entrepreneur to stay in control and organize their business. There are endless applications that will surely be an extra help for your company.
- E-COMMERCE
If you open a trade, invest in a virtual store and win more customers. Currently, the number of users connected in Brazil and with broadband access, is increasing and is undoubtedly a great attraction. In addition, market studies show that more and more people start to buy online even after knowing the product in physical stores. Another great advantage is that the providers offer ready solutions, dispensing the hiring of programmers and web designers.
- INVEST IN COMPUTER IN THE CLOUD
I think everyone already uses some service in the cloud – emails from Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo! are already cloud-based solutions. But nowadays, there are more services available on this platform. Microsoft has just launched Office 365, which makes the traditional Office suite available in the cloud, licensing per user and monthly payment access to tools. There are several other solutions and even servers in the cloud; it pays to know the options for your business better. Learn more about cloud based tools like Virtual Server Hosting and Azure Virtual Desktop from Apps4Rent.
- CREATE A COMMUNICATION AND DISCLOSURE CHANNEL WITH THE SOCIAL NETWORKS
Brazil has always been one of the countries with the highest adherence to this type of platform. Every day thousands of people create accounts on networks such as Twitter and Facebook and, therefore, it is a great way to interact and conquer new consumers. These networks allow you to be closer to your customer when he is not in your company and takes your brand to a greater number of people. Create a strategy and enter today into a social network, but offer different and regular content, so as not to give an “air of abandonment”, which will certainly have opposite results than expected.
EXTRA TIP: GOOGLE AND MICROSOFT
These two companies are constantly innovating and offering great solutions (many of them free) to the corporate market. It’s always worth keeping an eye out for the news:
MICROSOFT
Free is better: it combines template documents and spreadsheets, as well as offering free training and productivity tips
Communicator: corporate version of MSN, which allows communication between users of a network, in addition to calls via VoIP
Office 365: Office suite cloud computing solution. Allows file sharing in a group and editing from anywhere that has internet access
SharePoint: file sharing tool for use by a group of users, kind of online library
SkyDrive: virtual disk that allows the upload of up to 25 GB of information. Great for backup or file sharing
Docs: online solution for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.
Apps: tool that brings together corporate email, calendar, instant messaging, documents, etc. From an existing internet domain
Places: Register the address of your company so that in internet searches of upcoming addresses your data will appear
Trends: compares, by geographical region, the search for terms and words. Ideal for market analysis, for example
Analytics: allows you to analyze the traffic of your site, average time of visits, origin of users
Adwords: word-based advertising within Google’s search engine where the charge is based on clicks
Besides these tips, it is important to observe the basics, how to undertake what you like; have a vision of the future, to know if the chosen option does indeed have a good market to be exploited; choose the partner correctly; and avoid loans.
