The year is 1970. Mr. Miller from Tennessee has a set up a small business unit. There are 3 employees working under him. The business is functioning very well and the profits are on the rise. The three guys are experts at multitasking and handle most of the business tasks amongst themselves. 36 years later, Mr. Miller’s company has grown. There are about 350 employees working under him now.
But in the last few years, competition has eroded the performance of his business the way rust eats into the best of metals. He can’t figure out the reason. He still follows the best business policies. He sonly has reasonable expectations and more importantly, he still relies on manpower for most of his business related work. A meeting with a business consultant reveals the reason about the lackluster performance of his business within 5 minutes. He has hired too many people for tasks which can be automated by using business software. But he always thought that business software was useful only for large companies.
The current scenario
The above mentioned scenario is a real life case study that has been taken from one of the many small business surveys that happens around America. It is surprising, yet true that many small businesses still rely on manpower for tasks like accounting, contact management, sales management, lead generation and marketing. Even the companies who have shifted towards software are using a patchwork of applications that are nothing but a mere excuse for automation. This, at a time when small business software is available for just about any kind of business is not just surprising. It is alarming.
The SMB software market
2 Years after Mr. Miller shifted to using one of the leading small business software solutions; his business is back where it always was. He has reduced his expenses by almost 45% and the profits are on the rise. The business is more productive now and his team is working under one common platform that syncs all departments of his company. Are you like Mr. Miller and unaware of the benefits of using small business software?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Small Business Accounting Software
If you believe in multitasking, then you are probably a result oriented and hardworking individual. But if you believe that multitasking means handling and managing several departments of your business single handedly, then you are not very smart. You must understand that you might very well be affecting the performance and the productivity of your business.
This is a common practice that I have seen in small businesses to be particular. One person acts as the CEO, the accountant, the marketing exec and the sales team. Sounds good but isn’t that effective.
This shouldn’t be an option to be considered at all now that there is specialized software in place for small businesses that automates most of the tasks that you would otherwise carry out yourself. Take small business accounting software for instance.
A brief glimpse
Most people are skeptical about managing their accounting and book keeping needs with software because they feel that it might be too tedious. But now there is accounting software that is modeled exactly on its paper counterparts.
Not only is it extremely easy to use but it is much more fast and effective. You can complete tasks like paying bills, generating reports, forecasting revenues etc with a few simple clicks. These are tasks that would otherwise consume a lot of your time.
Most of the accounting software has been designed with small businesses in mind. If you rely heavily on sales and orders via the internet, then you can look for accounting software that has built in e-commerce functionalities.
Seamless integration with existing tools and utilities, drag and drop features, free up gradation, quality customer support and cost effectiveness are other qualities that you need to look out for.
Tips for buyers
Many websites let you compare amongst the best accounting software in the market today. You can use these websites to gain a better understanding and compare various features of the software.
This is a common practice that I have seen in small businesses to be particular. One person acts as the CEO, the accountant, the marketing exec and the sales team. Sounds good but isn’t that effective.
This shouldn’t be an option to be considered at all now that there is specialized software in place for small businesses that automates most of the tasks that you would otherwise carry out yourself. Take small business accounting software for instance.
A brief glimpse
Most people are skeptical about managing their accounting and book keeping needs with software because they feel that it might be too tedious. But now there is accounting software that is modeled exactly on its paper counterparts.
Not only is it extremely easy to use but it is much more fast and effective. You can complete tasks like paying bills, generating reports, forecasting revenues etc with a few simple clicks. These are tasks that would otherwise consume a lot of your time.
Most of the accounting software has been designed with small businesses in mind. If you rely heavily on sales and orders via the internet, then you can look for accounting software that has built in e-commerce functionalities.
Seamless integration with existing tools and utilities, drag and drop features, free up gradation, quality customer support and cost effectiveness are other qualities that you need to look out for.
Tips for buyers
Many websites let you compare amongst the best accounting software in the market today. You can use these websites to gain a better understanding and compare various features of the software.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Why you need effective sales management software
It is rightly said that a powerful sales management system combined with a contact management system will make up the core of your customer relationship. After the contact management lists the interaction made with a customer, the sales management team springs into action. The potential customers list is first targeted and appropriate marketing plans are chalked out.
There are several other features that make a sales management software a must have for your organization.
Advantages
Profits and productivity As sales management software brings in a certain degree of efficiency into time management, productivity will be enhanced. This will lead to reduced costs for the company, increased revenue and increased market share as well. Access to the huge customer data resource will greatly reduce the response time and lead to a much more precise and agile organization. A company that rightly uses its sales management software has the most satisfied employees.
This can well be a competitive advantage and a differentiating factor between you and your competitors. Many small business CRM applications have sales management, contact management and marketing management under a single platform. These are precisely the right set of tools and techniques to ensure maximum adaptability and ease of use.
There are several other features that make a sales management software a must have for your organization.
Advantages
- since sales management software has a multi user and cross channel interface, almost all departments can access it at once.
- This paves way for cost effective and speedy transfer of critical documents and customer data.
- Gone are the days when reports were printed out and carried to the other department.
- Every sales employee will have access to an enormously large database that has all relevant information about each and every customer.
- The employee gets hands on training and exposure about sales practices without having to attend seminars and lectures to get the knowledge.
- Also the non-selling time is minimized and the selling time increases thereby increasing the profits of the company.
Profits and productivity As sales management software brings in a certain degree of efficiency into time management, productivity will be enhanced. This will lead to reduced costs for the company, increased revenue and increased market share as well. Access to the huge customer data resource will greatly reduce the response time and lead to a much more precise and agile organization. A company that rightly uses its sales management software has the most satisfied employees.
This can well be a competitive advantage and a differentiating factor between you and your competitors. Many small business CRM applications have sales management, contact management and marketing management under a single platform. These are precisely the right set of tools and techniques to ensure maximum adaptability and ease of use.
Use Small Business Contact Management Software
When you are running a small business, you need a powerful software application to handle your contact and sales management. You should be able to handle your daily tasks in an easy and organized fashion.
When you have an effective Small Business Contact Management Software, you will never miss out on an appointment or a meeting again. A survey recently revealed that contact management software is the first step to establish better and fruitful relationships with your customers.
Some advantages
You can create separate lists for your existing customers and prospective ones. In fact you can create as many groups as you want. A separate group for your best customers, a separate one for the contacts who have done business with you in the last 4 months and so on and so forth.
Besides this, you can edit contact information in any way that best suits you. Do you wish to add a new data field to a contact? You are free to do that as well.
When you have had an interaction with a contact, it can be added to the notes section automatically or with minimum effort.
Setting up schedules, sending automated emails or setting reminders for future events, all depends on your contact management software.
The Internet
Most contact management software has internet enabled capabilities for the frequent traveling entrepreneur. So if you are on the move and quickly wish to scan your contacts list, then it can be done with ease.
You can also get a list of the contacts that are geographically closest to you. This way you can always stay in touch with the office and also update any information that you need regarding the contact.
There are numerous other features like time management, synchronization with your PDA, and multi user support in Small Business Contact Management Software. It can be integrated with your sales management software for maximum returns on investment.
When you have an effective Small Business Contact Management Software, you will never miss out on an appointment or a meeting again. A survey recently revealed that contact management software is the first step to establish better and fruitful relationships with your customers.
Some advantages
You can create separate lists for your existing customers and prospective ones. In fact you can create as many groups as you want. A separate group for your best customers, a separate one for the contacts who have done business with you in the last 4 months and so on and so forth.
Besides this, you can edit contact information in any way that best suits you. Do you wish to add a new data field to a contact? You are free to do that as well.
When you have had an interaction with a contact, it can be added to the notes section automatically or with minimum effort.
Setting up schedules, sending automated emails or setting reminders for future events, all depends on your contact management software.
The Internet
Most contact management software has internet enabled capabilities for the frequent traveling entrepreneur. So if you are on the move and quickly wish to scan your contacts list, then it can be done with ease.
You can also get a list of the contacts that are geographically closest to you. This way you can always stay in touch with the office and also update any information that you need regarding the contact.
There are numerous other features like time management, synchronization with your PDA, and multi user support in Small Business Contact Management Software. It can be integrated with your sales management software for maximum returns on investment.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Finding the ultimate small business Payroll software
Small Business Payroll Software
Being a business consultant, I have visited several SMB (small to medium sized businesses) off late and I have noticed one thing in common in many of these companies. They do not employ specialized people for specialized tasks.
Take accounting for example. Payday is usually a time of utter turmoil in many of these companies. They rely on a patchwork of applications to deliver them the goods. The chaos is unbelievable.
You usually find that a person in some other department has to double up as an accountant for a couple of days to ensure that payday passes as smoothly as it arrives. But this is easier said than done.
My advice to all these companies is the same. Why not use small business Payroll software? It really isn’t as expensive as you think. In fact, there are several cost effective solutions for Payroll software available on the internet.
The benefits
• You can easily manage most of your payroll tasks with a few clicks.
• From creating paychecks to W-2 forms, making complex accurate federal or state calculations, printing out paystubs and many more tasks can be completed within a single day.
• The automation is simply fantastic. Your accounting and taxing will never be out of date again.
• With personalized email reminders, you’ll never miss a payment due date again.
• Think about the time and the effort that you are saving.
• You will no longer have stressed out employees and a tedious payday.
• The best part is that you can manage your payroll from just about anywhere in the world.
All you need is an internet connection. Most of the small businesses Payroll software vendors also give you live support with payroll experts.
So if you have any doubts at all, you can always seek advice on managing the software. Buy the way, have you heard about Small Business Contact Management Software?
Being a business consultant, I have visited several SMB (small to medium sized businesses) off late and I have noticed one thing in common in many of these companies. They do not employ specialized people for specialized tasks.
Take accounting for example. Payday is usually a time of utter turmoil in many of these companies. They rely on a patchwork of applications to deliver them the goods. The chaos is unbelievable.
You usually find that a person in some other department has to double up as an accountant for a couple of days to ensure that payday passes as smoothly as it arrives. But this is easier said than done.
My advice to all these companies is the same. Why not use small business Payroll software? It really isn’t as expensive as you think. In fact, there are several cost effective solutions for Payroll software available on the internet.
The benefits
• You can easily manage most of your payroll tasks with a few clicks.
• From creating paychecks to W-2 forms, making complex accurate federal or state calculations, printing out paystubs and many more tasks can be completed within a single day.
• The automation is simply fantastic. Your accounting and taxing will never be out of date again.
• With personalized email reminders, you’ll never miss a payment due date again.
• Think about the time and the effort that you are saving.
• You will no longer have stressed out employees and a tedious payday.
• The best part is that you can manage your payroll from just about anywhere in the world.
All you need is an internet connection. Most of the small businesses Payroll software vendors also give you live support with payroll experts.
So if you have any doubts at all, you can always seek advice on managing the software. Buy the way, have you heard about Small Business Contact Management Software?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Types of small business software
The intense competition that exists in the corporate world today has made it almost mandatory for even SMB (small and medium sized businesses) to have highly precise business models. Gone are the days when you could rely on your creative head to double up as the accountant. Now it’s no longer necessary. Not when you have better and efficient options at hand. You might just be surprised to know that there are several types of small business software out there and you can just get one for yourself that suits you the most.
Small business Payroll software
Now there are cost efficient payroll and accounting solutions that can help you save loads of time on everyday financial tasks. You too can create invoices and estimates and also receive payments, pay bills, manage payrolls and much more. If you thought that you needed a professional accountant to do that, then you were wrong. The best part is that all these tasks can be accomplished in a highly graphical and easy to adapt interface which makes it easy for you to use it.
Small Business Contact Management Software
Now you and your office staff can share and manage contacts, information, appointments, documents and much more. The possibilities are numerous and contact management software is the only way to achieve this. Also most contact management software has the latest security methods to keep your data secure and protected against infiltration.
Sales Management
Your sales team can work wonders with a little bit of help from the right sales management software. Sales management software incorporates business Intelligence to help manage each aspect of sales like lead generation, marketing matrices etc.
Single solution
You can also get single solution software with all the above mentioned solutions incorporated into one. With just a few clicks you will be able to manage your small business completely without hassles.
Small business Payroll software
Now there are cost efficient payroll and accounting solutions that can help you save loads of time on everyday financial tasks. You too can create invoices and estimates and also receive payments, pay bills, manage payrolls and much more. If you thought that you needed a professional accountant to do that, then you were wrong. The best part is that all these tasks can be accomplished in a highly graphical and easy to adapt interface which makes it easy for you to use it.
Small Business Contact Management Software
Now you and your office staff can share and manage contacts, information, appointments, documents and much more. The possibilities are numerous and contact management software is the only way to achieve this. Also most contact management software has the latest security methods to keep your data secure and protected against infiltration.
Sales Management
Your sales team can work wonders with a little bit of help from the right sales management software. Sales management software incorporates business Intelligence to help manage each aspect of sales like lead generation, marketing matrices etc.
Single solution
You can also get single solution software with all the above mentioned solutions incorporated into one. With just a few clicks you will be able to manage your small business completely without hassles.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tips to choose right software for small business
Today, most small businesses look for software to automate their business process. It is not easy however for you to select small business software that easily. There are a plethora of products out there each vying for your attention and each promising the moon when it comes to easing up your business.
So how can you select small business software that is right for you? Ask yourself a few questions.
What are your requirements?
Analyze your requirements. If you have been using multiple patch applications to run your business, then you need software that will integrate all these into a single easy to use interface. Look for software that your users can adapt to. Also costing is a huge factor.
If you are looking for small Business Software, then you have to look into several aspects like installation, reducing costs, improving turn over and training your employees.
Multiple uses in one
There are many small business software available, that has many uses in one. These softwares can double up as your accountant, contact manager, office suite and billing assistant. It might be economical and good choices to choose software like that.
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