Small businesses need to consider ways to cut bills

Categories: Business | No Comments

A difficult business climate requires bold business decision-making. But wouldn’t it be great if you could improve business without having to make game-changing strategic decisions? Thanks to the internet revolution it is now cheaper and easier than ever to boost your bottom line by converting from conventional phone service to VOIP. VOIP, or voice over internet protocol (IP), is the transmission of voice over the already established internet infrastructure. Essentially, employing VOIP enables the user to make phone calls over the internet – basically free – instead of requiring a phone line. This enables the user to eliminate the need for a phone company who charges exorbitant fees for line maintenance, transmission, and the myriad call features that are the norm for phone service these days. Small businesses can therefore benefit immensely from a small business voip system because it will reduce one of the largest overhead expenses of a small business: the phone bill. In order to set up a voip system, all that is really required is an internet connection and a series of internet-compatible phones. A small fee is paid for each unique phone number, though extensions or branches from that number are generally free. The user then needs to buy internet phones made especially for VOIP, which usually hookup to the existing network by way of Ethernet. Then a business can either buy PBX hardware to host their own VOIP phone network, though most instead choose to outsource the hosting to a company that specializes in small business VOIP. In this way, businesses are often able to save 70% or more (long-term) on phone bills and renew their own companies’ telecommunications infrastructure in the process. While this tough economic climate surely requires creativity from business owners on the strategic side, it’s nice to know that cutting bills and laying the foundation for future business growth are not mutually exclusive. 

The Benefits of Sales Outsourcing

3 Reasons to Outsource Sales in a Tough Economy

Many businesses look to cut costs in a recession. However, successful businesses know that marketing must go on, no matter what the economy is doing. If you let up on your sales and marketing, even though times are tough, you lose market share. An outsource sales and marketing firm can help you maintain your competitive edge.

Following are three good reasons to outsource sales in a recession.

1. Cold Calling: Most salespeople hate cold calling and will do almost anything not to do it. But, it is one of the most effective ways to produce new leads.

As salespeople may have to make even more calls during a recession, they may find their sales being made dropping because they aren’t even used to making their sales calls before the hard times hit. Now, to expect them to redouble those efforts for possibly half the return may be unreasonable.

An outsource sales and marketing firm can be just the magic bullet you need to increase sales during a recession.

2. ROI Easy to Track: In a recession, it’s more important than ever to watch your bottom line. This means cutting sales and marketing methods that aren’t working. And, redoubling your efforts on those that are making money.

Because an outsource sales and marketing firm keep plenty records, it’s easy for you to track your ROI.

3. Replace a Shrinking Sales Force: In a recession, it’s not uncommon for many salespeople, especially those who derive the bulk of their income from commission, to look for more stable jobs. Hence, through no fault of your own, you may have a diminishing in-house sales team.

An outsource sales and marketing firm can pick up this slack, keeping your company’s profits on track – and even exceeding them.

In tough times, it’s smart to focus on your core competencies. If sales isn’t one of them, hire an outsource sales and marketing firm to take care of it for you.