subject: Small business tips [print this page] Setting up and growing a small business can be a difficult process, no matter what the state of the economy, but by embracing cost-saving opportunities wherever possible you can reduce your overheads and spend more money adding value to your business at this crucial early stage.
Persistence is often the key to success for a small business, as even if you've got a great idea and found a niche market, you won't be able to take full advantage of the opportunities that present themselves if you aren't committed to the job. It helps to know exactly what you are hoping to achieve with your business - hence the need for a thorough business plan to outline your goals, which can also be presented to potential investors, bankers and partners.
There's also a difference between strategy and tactics, both of which will need to be addressed in the early days of a business. Strategic documents outline where you and any co-workers will be focusing efforts, as well as identifying possible obstacles to achieving success. Your business tactics are the actions taken to help achieve these goals, which could involve phone calls, personal visits and anything to do with marketing and promotion.
Promotion can be a costly endeavour, of course, but fortunately there are many ways to cut costs without cutting corners in your business, including moving as much as possible into an online 'virtual' office environment or taking advantage of the deals available for your business phone line. Setting a budget is an effective way of making sure you don't overspend each month, and if you are calculating expenses for your company, it can also be useful to split large expenses into more manageable ones to identify areas for improvement.
You can find plenty of discounts for your business goods and services when you shop around. If you are in the business of selling products, buying them in bulk can give you wholesale discounts, so it makes sense to take advantage of this if you think you will be able to sell the products effectively within a short time frame.
Even your physical office itself can be a financial liability if you feel you are renting more space than you require. Consider whether you could achieve the same results by embracing remote working opportunities, allowing employees to work from home using their own resources, and you could make big savings on the bottom line.
Small business tips
By: Paul Buchanan
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