If you run your own business, you’ll understand that managing overheads can be a constant battle. If you’re looking to cut costs, you likely can’t afford to cut staff members, the cost of light and heating or rent of a business premises may be non-negotiable and your insurance may not be due for renewal for another 8 months. One key area where you may be able to save some is in the area of communications costs – telephone bills, employee mobile phone plans and broadband costs could all present huge areas for savings. Consider the following 5 top tips to potentially reduce communication cost for your business.
1. Use a Business Calling Card
Do you make many calls to partners, suppliers, contractors, employees or customers abroad? If so, it may be a wise idea to invest in an international business call card (http://www.enjoyprepaid.com/business-phone-cards.html) to enjoy much cheaper rates. You would be surprised how much you could save by using an international business call card from a reputable provider such as Enjoy Prepaid (http://www.enjoyprepaid.com/) to call contacts abroad.
2. Direct Queries & Conversations To E-mail or Online Chat
Do you find that your staff members teasing out potential sales, queries and leads over the phone? Save phone calls for only the most qualified leads and direct all other contact to e-mail or online chat. Not only will you save on telephony costs but it should free up more of your staff’s valuable time.
3. Use Web Based Collaboration Tools
Use online services such as Skype, Google Hangouts, WebEx and GoToMeeting to communicate with staff externally via online messaging, a video call or group chat. You’ll also be able to share your screen or any documents which can save you a lot of time on the phone trying to explain certain documents or trying to direct people how to navigate through a certain file, folder or tool.
4. Consider Switching or Upgrading Current Contracts
You may be far exceeding your current broadband, telephone or mobile phone contracts limits and incurring huge costs as a result. Assess your monthly phone and internet usage and speak to your provider about potentially upgrading your contracts if you find yourself exceeding usage limits. You would be shocked at how much you could save in doing so as often any “units” used above your agreed limit are charged at pretty expensive rates.
5. Fax Over Internet
Do you find yourself regular faxing or receiving faxed documents? You may find it much more cost-effective for your business to switch to a fax over internet platform. Such a service allows you to send and receive faxes via your e-mail, store important fax files to your computer and access fax documents from an online fax tool anytime and anywhere you have Internet access. This means you can ensure that you get your fax even if you’re out of office and therefore have the ability to respond more quickly.
Take a good hard look at how much you are spending on communications costs – the key to reducing overheads could lie in your comms costs!
Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.
