BUY
RIGHT AND SAVE
Read much? Cut subscription costs by logging on and reading
today's edition online free. If you'd rather have the print
version, partner with your network of neighborhood home-based
workers or small business owners to share subscriptions to expensive
trade or consumer business magazines. Assign time each morning
for each reader, before they pass it to the next in line. Similarly,
create a buying network among your small business peers. Many
office superstores offer free delivery of purchases over $50.
Call or email your neighborhood network to inquire about any
supplies they need. By bundling orders, you'll top the minimum
delivery requirement - and no one has to make a run to the store.
Or, buy in bulk from a warehouse club (Costco, BJ's or Sam's)
and split the purchase.
FIVE
WAYS TO CUT PHONE COSTS
Cutting costs? Consider your phone bill. Haggle for lower
rates. Get into the habit of shopping for the best per-minute
long-distance rates every few months. When asking your current
carrier to review your bill for ways to save, demand that
any Service Charges associated with calling programs be waived;
most companies will do this for six months - but not unless
they're asked to do so. Shop your dial tone. In some markets,
non-traditional service providers resellers can offer basic
service discounts of up to half the cost of the Baby Bells.
Search Google for CLECs, or Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
+ (your city and state). Bundle your local, long-distance,
toll-free, cellular and even Internet accounts with one provider.
Doing this could mean one bill at month's end - and one check
written to the service provider. Finally, if you run a home
business, tell the company the service is "residential,"
which costs less than if based in a corporate location.
CONSULTANTS:
21ST CENTURY ALLIES
Who
are you? Or, more importantly to your clients, WHAT are you?
Small business strategist, Jeff Zbar, says
today's consultant is a vendor, a service provider and a trusted
third-party co-pilots and voice of reason to the captain of
business who are navigating uncharted seas. They are consultants
who provide expert insights gleaned from years of experience.
Clients pay good money for that insight. In many instances,
consultants don't actually DO the work they recommend - like
creating marketing campaigns, doing market research or writing
business plans. Instead, they're recommending what courses to
chart to improve a business's future prospects.
