Latest Articles
- How to Get the Most Out of a Business Health Review with Your Accountant
While working with my clients and as Program Manager of the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program I have a common theme presents itself. How do I figure out how my business is doing? As a business owner I need to know the answer to this myself. So when I meet with my accountant, I want to give him the most up to date and accurate information. Thus providing the data he needs to help me make sound financial decisions. Your accountant can do this for you but they will need “information”.
- Planning For Success
So why is planning important? Without it you will waist a considerable amount of money, time, and resources. You can’t get where you want to go if you don’t know where you want to end up. Working with clients I usually find businesses that have grown ad hoc and call me when their inefficient back office operations are hampering growth. By developing a business plan you can prepare for growth and potential risk or problems. Therefore you are responding to your environment not reacting. Also, having a solid plan gives you a tool for making decisions.
- 10 Key Factors in Choosing Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM)
One of my favorite topics we teach in class is how to compile information that can be used to make smart business decisions. What usually comes up during class is many start-ups and existing companies know they need a tool to help them with collecting and using information but do not know where to start. This article’s focus is the ten key factors to help you choose the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software for your company.
- 10 Tips for Creating a Data Goldmine
I have been working with many clients who have their information in a database but are unable to get the information they want or know where to find it. Usually the culprit is a series of issues that come together to create the perfect storm of inefficiency. The tips below will help you to prevent this storm and maximize the information in your database to increase productivity and profits.
- How to Make More Money in 2012 with Data Driven Decisions
I have mentioned in many of my articles about metrics. Things we use to measure success and how far you are from reaching your goals. Data is much more than that – it is a valuable tool to make solid business decisions. It also helps you to save as well as make money. Below are some of the metrics you can use to help grow your bottom line in 2012.
Reduce Clutter - Go Digital
One significant way to reduce the paper clutter around your office and in your life is through digital channels. Converting as much paper into digital format not only reduces clutter it also helps the environment. The epitome of efficiency – accomplishing two goals at the same time.
One of the cheapest, probably free, and easiest ways to get started is paying bills online. Contact your bank to find out how to get access to their online banking system. So you feel comfortable, verify the banks data security measures when setting up access to the online banking system. Once you add a payee into the database you have a history of payments and do not have to reenter the data every time you pay a bill. In fact, you only have to put the amount and due date of the payment. Great if you are on vacation or out of town. What are the savings from this method: supplies, checks, postage, gas and time. Wow! Just by paying your bills online.
The second component is using a scanner. There are numerous options and price points to choose from. I would recommend a scanner that can process business cards, receipts and documents. That way you are only purchasing one item. Scan the business cards you collect that end up in piles on your desk or in a drawer. These individuals are untapped resources, referrals and potential clients. Scan the business cards into your computer and verify the accuracy of the information. Now the contacts can be imported into your database. Either pass the person’s card onto someone who you know could use their services or recycle the paper.
Receipts are a real challenge to organize during the fiscal year. By scanning the receipts you can organize them into deduction categories. Some scanners also give you the ability to export the data into your bookkeeping program. Verify with your accountant f the original paper receipt can be destroyed. You will have a digital list that can be run as a report for tax purposes and you reduced the paper you need to organize. In fact, you can keep your shoebox of receipts because they are organized on the computer.
Documents can be scanned, and depending on your contact manager, attached to the client or contact on the database. Thus reducing your paper records considerably.
The key to going digital being successful is treating the digital records like you would paper in terms of organization and ease of use. It must be organized in a logical manner and easy to find if you need to reference the document. Scanning without organizing the records results in electronic “piles” and clutter.
Vitally important is backing up electronic records. These should be done frequently if not daily. There are many options for backing up records from external hard drives to a web based backup service. When considering backup options also take into account the possibility of a disaster and how to protect those records.
For any questions or comments please email us at cmc@crollorganizing.com.