U
D

Conversation

the

03/13/15 | Uncategorized

7 Simple Things You Can Start Doing Now to Save Your Business Major Cash

Bootstrapping can be easier and less painful than you might think. Here’s how to save your startup some serious money.

By Kayla Matthews (Productivity Writer)

Does your business feel slow? Are your profits fluctuating around the break-even point? If you answered yes to both these questions, the chances are the two problems are related.

To kill these two birds with one stone, try one or more of the tips below:

1. Work from Home

In many ways, telecommuting benefits your business. First, you save overhead costs. Second, your employees become happier, more productive and less likely to quit. Third, you spend less on unscheduled absences and travel.

The only thing you need to worry about is employee accountability. You can get around this if you implement a good virtual management system, use the appropriate software and encourage employees to send tasks rather than emails.

2. Use Free Software

You don’t need to spend a fortune on office software. Plenty of high-quality business and productivity apps can be legally downloaded for free. Besides, a lot of these tend to get outdated after a few years, so there’s no point paying for them unless absolutely necessary.

That said, it’s always a good idea to read online reviews on any software before you use it. You don’t want to end up downloading a free app, only for it to be buggy – or worse, filled with malware.

3. Automate Business Processes

Is excessive bureaucracy choking your operations? Some case studies suggest you use machines or software to deal with the bottlenecks in your business. Others say you get rid of processes that do more harm than good to innovation. At any rate, you need to ask these five questions about your processes first to determine which ones you need to automate.

4. Outsource Tasks

Hire independent contractors or temporary workers to handle tasks low in strategic importance, but high in their contribution to operational performance. These include email management, payroll, research, content writing, system administration, etc. If you’re new to outsourcing, read these five tips from entrepreneurs who’ve been successful with it.

5. Get Savvy with Marketing

Believe it or not, marketing doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You can:

  • Set up a website with a free Web hosting platform
  • Set up an online store – if applicable – with a free open source e-commerce platform
  • Include your business contact info in your email signature
  • Spread the word about your business through your networks and social media accounts
  • Go above and beyond on customer service, so satisfied customers will spread the word for you

To become more effective at marketing, always ask yourself: How will your product or service benefit your customers?

Don’t just rattle off features; rather, identify your customers’ problem and determine how your product or service will solve that problem.

6. Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

If you work from home, you can deduct expenses like rent, mortgage interest, utilities and maintenance. You can also deduct entertainment costs, such as money spent going out of town and discussing business with clients.

Be sure to look up more information on the IRS website, or use the services of a tax consultant, before you finalize any of your deductibles.

7. Time Payments to Third Parties

Some payments should be made as early as possible; others are best left until the last minute. For example, credit cards accumulate interest over time, so it’s best to pay them off as soon as you can afford to. On the other hand, the money you spend on utility bills can be freed up for more profitable investments, so it’s OK to pay them only when they’re due.

Take time to examine your business operations, and see whether you can trim any fat. By doing so, both your productivity and profitability will improve, and you’ll take your business to the next level without much trouble.

What are your top tips for bootstrapping?

Photo credit: Singkham via Shutterstock.

Kate Brodock

Kate Brodock

Kate is the CEO of SWITCH and General Partner of the W Fund. She combines her operational experience in startups and her deep expertise on and central commitment to gender and representation in the startup ecosystem to position her as a leader on the creation and development of a more equitable future for our innovation economy.

Straight to your inbox.

The best content on the future faces of tech and startups.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SHARE THIS STORY

NEW COHORT STARTS JANUARY 2024

Join the Angel Sessions

Develop strategic relationships, build skills, and increase your deal flow through our global angel group and investing course.

RELATED ARTICLES
[yarpp]