Simple Tools to Make a Small Business More Efficient
As technology remains on the rise, more and more small business owners are becoming equipped with technology to benefit their businesses. With all the technology that’s out there, here’s a list of some inexpensive and user friendly tools that will make a small business run more efficiently.
Cloud computing systems, often called the “Cloud”, are a perfect tool for any small business. The Web-based computing system is accessed through a Web browser where there is an internet connection. The cloud system runs all of the applications needed for one’s job, rather than having them run on each user’s computer. To run the cloud system, the employee’s computer just needs the interface software that is accessed from the Web browser. A simple example of cloud computing is web-based email services, such as Gmail and Hotmail. Rather than running the email program on users’ computers, they can access their email accounts from the web on any device with internet access. The email account isn’t on the user’s computer; it’s on the Cloud.
Whether an employee is working from the main office, their home, or a distant office location, they can share and access company resources, such as applications, documents, calendar events, and task files where there is internet access. Cloud-based systems, such as Drop Box, automatically back up company files and data to a safe place located online, rather than backing it up on to an individual computer’s hard drive. That way if a user’s computer crashes, his/her work has been backed up and can be restored from the internet.
Also with this system, companies save money which can be allocated elsewhere in the business. The cloud system eliminates having to spend a lot of money on computers with good hard drives that store a lot of memory because everything is stored on the Cloud. Because the cloud system gives businesses company-wide access to computer applications, companies no longer need to purchase software and software licenses for employees. Companies can subscribe to a cloud computing system for a low monthly fee rather than spending tons of money to maintain computer hardware.
Whether a business owner operates a business with 10 or 100 employees, time is money for all companies, both large and small. Seemingly small tasks like assembling mail are tedious and time consuming. To make better use of employees, investing in mailing tools or software can easily make a business more efficient by saving time, energy, and money. Companies in the past had to manually place a postage stamp on each document. Today electronic devices and software are available to simplify the mailing process and cut down the shipping expense for businesses. This allows companies to send all classes of mail faster and easier while boosting mail deliverability. Postage meters and software solutions do all this, plus make mail look clean and high quality. Many also come equip with mail tracking systems. Businesses with a mail room should consider a postage meter, a single machine that weighs each piece of mail and prints the appropriate postage. In comparison, businesses without a mail room can use online postage, a software solution that completes the same tasks digitally. Some devices also stuff and seal the documents. Another convenience factor is if an employee runs out of stamps, he/she doesn’t have to leave the office to pick up more.
With the rise of smartphones, QR codes are a great tool to use when marketing a small business. QR codes, or Quick Responses Codes, are 2D barcodes that can be scanned and read by smartphones. Smartphone users can download a free application for scanning QR codes, and companies can download free applications for creating them. Essentially QR codes are a good mechanism for businesses to drive consumers to their website or other marketing devices, such as videos, advertisements or social media accounts. With QR code scanning applications, smartphone users simply scan or take a picture of the code, which redirects them to the page the creator set up to share. No matter how a business chooses to utilize QR codes, the codes are very user friendly, easy to create, a great tool for reaching consumers.
There are many ways a company can use a QR code to market their product and that depends on the type of company and its industry. Today many companies include a QR code on employee business cards. When scanned, they can redirect someone to that employee’s website or LinkedIn page or to the company’s website. Advertisements or signs aimed at selling a particular product could include a QR code that leads a consumer to a page of reviews of that product, or to a video describing how the product works. More specifically, a real estate agent could use a QR code to target potential buyers. Including a QR code on the real estate agent’s sign or on a for-sale sign could redirect consumers to a website with pictures of featured properties or to a video that walks them through a property. QR codes are great for engaging an audience and sharing a company’s message.