Running a business costs money. That’s just how things work. You need to pay for your business’s supplies, your marketing, your inventory, employees, etc. All of those details cost money. They do not, however, have to eat up your entire operating budget. If you are smart and creative, you’ll find that there are a lot of ways to accomplish your financial goals for a fraction of what you thought you’d spend. Here are a few tips to help you do that.
Saving on Communications
Unfortunately for the many introverts out there, it is not yet possible to run a business completely via email and pixelated forms of communication. You are, sometimes, going to have to talk on the phone or meet in person. And, unless you are a totally solo enterprise, you’re going to need more than just a free number or a pay-by-the-minute “burner” cell phone.
Here’s the good news: VoIP systems technology has come a long way over the last few years. Some companies, like UK based Elitetele.com even offer cloud based VOIP tech for landlines and cellular phones. These services cost a fraction of what you’d pay your local telecom for a series of landlines and connected phones. Even better, cloud based VOIP allows you to employ people from around the globe. Speaking of which…
The Global Marketplace
Obviously you are going to want to hire the very best people to help you build your business. Sometimes those people will be locally based. A lot of the time, however, those people will be working off-site and teleconferencing in. This is great for you, because it means you will be hiring the best people you can find. It’s also great because often, hiring global workers is cheaper than hiring local employees. For example virtual assistants and remote workers offer the help you need at rates that are better for your budget–especially while you are starting up. Eventually you might “graduate” to needing someone on-site full time. In the interim, however, virtual employment is a budget saver!
Get a Tablet
Tablet computers, though they require an upfront investment, are the wave of the future and will help you save tons of money across the scope of your business. They reduce your dependency on paper, they connect to the cloud, which means you can collaborate remotely and access files from wherever you are (handy, when you’re meeting clients or trying to work off site). Many tablet manufacturers will even offer discounts to startups who need help financing a set of tablets for their companies.
Plus, using a tablet makes you look cool and polished–definitely the image you want to project when meeting with clients and potential investors and business partners.
Open Source Saves the Day
Obviously your company is going to need a website and at least some basic operations software. This is where using open sourced materials can be a huge boost for your business. Linux, for example, is an incredibly powerful and robust operating system that can easily take the place of Windows or an Apple OS. You can build your company’s website using WordPress or, if you want something a little more polished feeling, Drupal. Google Drive offers word processing, spreadsheets, etc–all of which are compatible with Microsoft and Apple’s office suites. Obviously not all open source stuff is great, but for your basic operational needs, there are some fantastic programs out there–and none of them cost a thing!
Free or Very Cheap Resources
Finally, here is a list of either free or very budget-friendly services that will help you meet your other business needs.
VistaPrint: you’re going to need business cards, stationery, etc. VistaPrint (and a few of their competitors) offer printing services at a fraction of what you’d spend at a local print shop.
Slack: you need a safe and private space in which your global team can meet and communicate with each other throughout the day. Slack is a free service that is part live chat and part social networking. It’s a great way to set up a virtual conference room or water cooler for your team.
Streak: This is a Google Plugin that will help you track sales, CRM, etc. It’s SalesForce but for people on a budget.
Trello: Trello is a free online collaboration tool that will let you and your team work together on projects, manage details and track progress without having to resort to lengthy and annoying email chains.
Ultimately what it boils down to is this: you do not have to spend thousands to get your company up and running. You can have a full team, polished operations and a professional appearance without spending very much money at all!
