6 Ways Technology is Helping Small Business Become More Productive

If you own a small business, you might believe that modern technology is only appropriate for larger businesses with deep pockets. Nevertheless, technology is making a large impact even for small companies around the world. 

Technology is not just assisting small companies to become more efficient, it's also boosting their productivity and helping them develope their product line. 

Here are 6 ways technology is helping small business compete better in the new century.

Productivity

Small companies typically need to optimize productivity in their business. Today team members are using technology to do their work quicker and with more efficiency. 

Lots of business are now utilizing business resource preparation (ERP) systems instead of accounting software applications. An ERP system is much more than an accounting system because it handles much more than accounting-related jobs. The growing importance of ERPs for small businesses has been increasing steadily because of its effectivness in larger businesses and its cost of use has steadily declined over the years making them more cost effective even for the smallest startup.  

An ERP system, nevertheless, can deal with not just accounting jobs but also handle other parts of your whole business. When workers have access to the best hardware and the latest software applications, they have the tools to be very effective. 

Communication

Technology is assisting small companies to improve communication within the company, along with its consumers and providers. For example, mobile phones have become a business tool for the company owner and workers alike. 

Mobile phones are must-haves for remaining in touch with clients on the go and reacting to queries in a timely fashion. Mobile phones have actually raised the bar because they supply web access to business and e-mail applications. 

Text messaging, social networking and e-mail are other technological advancements that have actually improved communication and assisted small business to remain linked to their consumers and internal communication within your business.

Marketing

Technology has freed small companies from the restrictions of print marketing, specifically when it pertains to reaching existing and brand-new consumers. Internet marketing campaigns from basic educational sites, to marketing on online search engines, to internet sales has streamline and organized sales. 

Email marketing is a low cost and reliable technique that assists small companies to reach lots of people with business updates, discount coupons or newsletters. Mobile marketing is a brand-new frontier that is assisting small business to reach possible and existing consumers through text, mobile apps, and deal branded applications that link consumers to the most recent business news in a most efficient way. Contibuting to better tracking of sales campaigns.

Telecommuting

Nowadays, numerous small companies provide telecommuting and dynamic time schedules to its employees. Staff members, clients, providers and other business stakeholders can remain in touch from numerous places while working various hours through making use of online resources and mobile computing devices. 

Employees can now share digital files through e-mail, have online realtime discussions, and use training videos and handbooks to orient brand-new workers on what is going on in your business.

Customer Service

Technology helps build better communcation between customer and company. Companies can utilize e-mail to react to consumer questions, utilize online chat to help clients that check out the business website, and give customer service agents better tools to solve customers problems. Technology offers a business's clients many options to stay in touch with your business.

Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing through the phone is a tried and true conferencing technique, however current advancements in technology have actually brought online conferencing to the leading edge. 

Online conferencing can connect web video cameras, audio, in addition to incorporated web conference enhancements to come up with an extremely interactive environment. All participants can see each other as they communicate, share files, deal with tasks collaboratively, and recreate the in person conference experience despite their physical place. 

This is just a few of the methods which small companies can broaden their reach to engage worldwide customers and partners.

Bounteous Blooms: 3 Tips For The Perfect Backyard Garden

Backyard gardens don't have to be a lot of work. Planting native species that naturally thrive in your climate is a great way to minimize garden maintenance. Perennials, too, are an excellent choice as they come back on their own every year. 

Of course, you'll also want to limit the size of your garden to an area you know you'll have time for. One season of growing experience will teach you these basic tips, but here are a few lesser known tips you probably won't see in any gardening book.

Free Plant Food

The nutrients in vegetables that help keep your body strong and healthy are also good for your plants. When you steam and boil vegetables, some of these nutrients find their way into the water in your pot. 

Don't just dump this valuable asset down the drain. Instead, save this nutrient-rich water and use it to water your garden. Your plants will love it.

Lighten Your Load

Potted plants make great accent pieces on patios, porches and throughout the garden. Unfortunately, they quickly get heavy and difficult to move, especially if you place rocks in the bottom of them to promote drainage. 

Instead of rocks or gravel, place lightweight packing peanuts in the bottom of your pots. 

Lay a piece of landscaping fabric over them to keep them in place and then add your potting soil and plants. The peanuts will aid drainage without adding unnecessary weight to your planters.

Consider New Windows

For maximum enjoyment of your backyard garden, make sure you can see your beautiful blossoms from inside your home. The right windows will serve as pretty frames for the picture that is your garden and let you enjoy your handiwork more often. 

You may even wish to consider garden windows, which provide large panes for undisturbed garden viewing as well as wide sills and ventilation for starting seedlings indoors. The right windows, like those from Four Seasons Home Products, let you enjoy your garden from both inside and outside your home.

There is no question that gardening is a labor of love, but there are ways to lessen the amount of work involved. These tips and tricks are a bit unusual, but all are effective and will help you spend less time working in the garden and more time enjoying it. 

It's up to you whether you pass these tips on to others or simply smile when people compliment your backyard's beauty.

How Homeowners Can Learn Enough about Plumbing to Save Money

The plumbing in your home makes it possible to take a hot shower, do the dishes and take care of other tasks that you may take for granted. 

However, if the plumbing stops working properly, it can take a lot of time and money to fix it. The good news is that there are ways for homeowners to learn how to solve several common issues related to a home's pipes.

Watch Tutorials on YouTube

YouTube is full of tutorials that can help you learn more about your pipes and how to fix them. The best part about watching an online video is that you can stop it when necessary, rewind it or watch it as many times as it takes to get a concept down. 



You also have the option of learning from a variety of sources, which may help you find a teacher who you can best learn from.

Read Books about Plumbing

While this may be a little more old fashioned, you can learn about plumbing by reading books on the subject. Some companies, like Knights Plumbing & Drain, know that you can either borrow a book from a friend or get one at your local library. 

It is also possible to order books online or to read digital copies. In some cases, you will need to pay for any digital books that you want to read about the subject.

Ask Friends or Family Members for Help

If you have a burst pipe or a slow drain, you may want to ask a parent or a friend who has experience with such issues for help. 

This may make it easier to solve your issue without spending a lot of money because a family member or friend will likely help for free. However, it may be a good idea to pay for help with pizza or a few drinks after the job is done.

Learn Through Trial and Error

Sometimes, the best way to learn about a subject is through experience. The next time a pipe cracks, try to figure out what works best to seal that crack. If your drain is slow, try a variety of techniques to fix it until you find something that works.

If you are a homeowner, you will need to learn how to fix plumbing issues. While it may not be the most exciting subject to master, having the ability to do your own plumbing work is both a valuable skill and a great way to save money on household projects.

Saving and Settling: 5 Ways to Save Big Money on a Lawsuit

Many people look to save money on lawsuits because legal proceedings can add up quickly. Small amounts can add up quickly if you are smart and manage the lawsuit in the best way manner. 

There are several methods you can use to cut down on some of the expenses. Saving money on your lawsuit might make the entire process that much less painless and allow you to focus on the things that matter that much quicker.

Remain Organized

It is important to stay organized so that you save your own time and make the most effective use of your time with an attorney. It can help to organize your notes to make sure that your all of your communications are done in an effective manner. 

You can save money this way by streamlining your time with a lawyer to the greatest extent possible.

Avoid Litigation

One essential method to save money during a lawsuit is to avoid litigation. Court proceedings are notorious for their ability to keep going on over a long period of time. 

Settling outside of court has the potential to save you money by reducing the amount of time you have to spend hiring a lawyer.

Embrace Negotiation

Although some people do not like to haggle, negotiation has the potential to save you money by helping you find out exactly how much something is worth. In this case, the settlement is the value that you are trying to determine. 

Sometimes a person will take a lot less than you might originally expect. The only way to find out is to make an offer and be open to negotiation.

Legal Protection

Hiring the right lawyer can be an essential step to saving money during a lawsuit. An experienced attorney from a firm like Trammell and Mills Law Firm LLC could have certain industry that he or she can leverage to successfully reduce the amount of money you ultimately have to spend. 

Even if it costs a little more up front, the long-term advantages of finding the right lawyer could be great. Consider a lawyer's services as an investment with potential to accrue interest by saving you money after a certain period of time.

Protect Assets

Finding different ways to list your assets is another potential way to save money. If you are feeling apprehensive about doing this alone, you can contact a professional service who can help you through the process. 

Several services can advise you on how best to proceed in your specific situation. That way you can save money during your lawsuit and come out of the process one step ahead.

Your can use these tips to save money when you're dealing with your lawsuit. Some tips have greater potential to save you money than others based on your specific situation. 

By using these tips holistically, you can accrue greater savings throughout the entire process.