MINIMIZING OVERHEAD: WHY PAY WHEN IT’S FREE?!
Since a dollar saved is a dollar earned, why spend money on something you can get for free on the Internet? Now that's small business advice you can take to the bank!
Minimized overheads allow small businesses to flourish. Let's call this your 'free stuff business strategy', and keep in mind it works best for a new small business and those evaluating their business planning.
Start with the basics – your word processing, spreadsheet and database software. Those can cost between $100 and $1,000 per user. Instead, switch to Google Docs or OpenOffice - two completely free alternatives that offer the same robust features.
Google is really trying to build on your brand loyalty and their brand awareness by offering very useful software for free.
Google Docs allows you to do word processing and create spreadsheets, presentations and forms that are compatible with Microsoft Office.
It runs in your web browser and stores your documents on Google’s servers, which means you can access your documents anywhere in the world, from any computer, and can share documents securely with collaborators.
Combine it with Google’s free Gmail email program - which now includes a social networking element called Buzz - and Google Calendar, so you and your staff can work together easily from across the room or around the world.
Google offers a paid version called Google Apps that comes with even more features at a relatively low cost, and can be scaled up one user at a time (useful for your growth strategy).
Then there’s Google Merchant Centre, a free online database that can be the backend for an online store and inventory system - letting you focus on buzz marketing rather than database design.
With Google’s offerings, you’ll end up saving money on IT support because they take care of making sure everything’s running smoothly.
You can read how small businesses have switched to Google Docs here.
Some people are nervous about storing their company’s info and documents in ‘the cloud’, fearing it could be hacked or lost. It’s a valid concern – but then, ask yourself, are your hard drives really that much more secure from hackers and damage than Google’s?
If you do share that worry, though, another great option is OpenOffice.
OpenOffice is free, it runs on your computer, stores your data on your computer’s drive, and feels more like the paid programs you’re used to using. Created as part of a collaborative world-wide effort, OpenOffice is available for every operating system and has even more functions and ability than Google Docs does.
Want more info? Here’s a list of reasons why OpenOffice is right for small business.
So, what else can you get for free?
Visit Sourceforge.net to search through thousands of free programs to make part of your small business technology plan.
Speaking of planning, how about tools that will make project planning easier?
Gantt Charts are a very useful way of keeping track of construction builds, software design and other team projects but usually require expensive software to create.
OpenProj is another great, free program for project management.
As social networking becomes second hand, so too does collaborative project planning. Here’s a few examples.
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If you’re leading a brainstorming session, try using free mind mapping software like FreeMind to set your creativity flowing.
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Need to design a brochure or poster as part of your brand strategy? Try PagePlus.
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Use PDFCreator to turn all your reports, brochures and presentations into pdf files (like Adobe Acrobat files) for free. That’s handy if you’re emailing them and don’t want the recipient to be able to change them.
Happy planning!
Keep reading for more ways to minimize your small business’ overhead.
Cheryl Binning is a Vancouver based freelance TV, digital media and print writer, publicist and small business owner. She's been writing about business, entertainment, the media and communications for fifteen years, and isn't sure if the highlight of her career so far was interviewing Nick Nolte in his bathrobe, or meeting Alice Cooper at the Music Video Awards.
Follow her on Twitter @cherylbinning
