Step 1
Replace your old legacy phone system with a Virtual PBX system. A virtual PBX phone system is hosted at the service companies location and it works with your mobile phone. It is accessed via the web and you manage it easily with their point/click console.
Virtual PBX features:
1. Auto Attendant - Artificial intelligence with a voice. It directs the call based on the caller's selections.
2. Follow Me - Advanced call forwarding. It rings all phone numbers you provided simultaneously or one at a time until it finds you. This feature can be scheduled.
3. Internet Fax - Faxes to the virtual PBX number will be sent to selected email address.
Cost Reduction & Savings:
1. No more lease payments for the phone equipment
2. Maintenance fees are eliminated - part of Virtual PBX service
3. More bundled features; Internet Fax, Follow Me, Auto Attendant
4. No more monthly access fees for business and fax lines
5. Option to decrease or eliminate receptionist due Auto Attendant
Step 2
Switch your cellular phone plan to an unlimited plan. You get more value from an unlimited plan. Remember the costs when you go over your plan once or twice because of a customer service crisis, you typically paid at a premium. Some plans have everything included unlimited minutes, text, GPS, and no roaming.
Notice how an unlimited plan works great with the Virtual PBX service. Used together, you've saved money and get more features.
If you have a multiple lines sharing a bucket of minutes, a unlimited plan will give you the freedom and free up resources, instead of managing the team cellular minutes.
Costs Reduction & Savings:
1. No more overage fees
2. Bundled Features included
3. More savings when used with Virtual PBX
Step 3
Get rid of your network servers and migrate everything to hosted servers. Without going into too much detail, small business owners know the yearly expenses of maintaining and repair computer network servers. By hosting paying for software as a service (SaaS), you can save significant money. Better yet, if the software is included in the hosting service, you come out ahead.
For example, if you purchased an email software program for your company and it's installed on your company servers, there are installations fees, upgrade fees, and not to mention the initial cost of purchasing the servers. If the hosting provider has the same or similar email service all bundled and ready to use, you save money.
Hosted Services:
1. Email services hosted
2. Data File & Recovery storage
3. Proprietary or other software managed hosting
4. Websites, Chat and Contact Management bundled for free
5. Backup Imaged files for quick recovery
Costs Reduction & Savings:
1. No maintenance fees & Software upgrades
2. Savings of no future server replacement or expansion
3. Option to eliminate, decrease or redirect IT resources
4. Service provider staff manages your servers
5. Upgrades and expansion have little or no costs
Step 4
Eliminate Print advertising. Unless your business is in a niche that needs to be printed on nice magazines, you can reduce your costs and market online. Many businesses are spending more money online marketing as it is cheaper and you can track the success of your campaigns with analytics (tracking stats).
Online Marketing Mediums:
1. Email Marketing - Most engaging of all web marketing
2. Blogging - Your articles get found by search
3. Mobile Texting (SMS) - Keep in touch with loyal customers
Costs Reduction & Savings:
1. Email Marketing services - some are free depending on size of list
2. Costs of creating a blog or website is affordable, and minimal
3. Blog or website is advertising 24/7.
4. Building an email list - priceless
5. Search marketing attracts warm leads
Step 5
Reduce Space or become a virtual office. Our modern technology especially those mentioned in the previous four steps, has allowed a business to be able to work from anywhere. Unless you are a retail business or required by law to have an office space, there really isn't any need for one.
If you need a P.O. Box or somewhere to meet there are Virtual Office services for a (physical) low monthly fee. The idea is to use a room or conference room for an agreed frequency. Usually once or twice a month. The rooms come fully equipped and ready to go. Included with the service is mail collection, a receptionist answering the phone, and the front desk to handle visitors.
Cost Reductions & Savings:
1. No more lease!
2. Reduced equipment
3. Utilities & miscellaneous office fees eliminated
4. Save money on commute
5. Save time - priceless!
