I think we are all feeling the need to tighten the purse strings these days. One of the best ways to do this is to look at all of the websites and services that you may have signed up for during a time when the cash was flowing more freely. Make sure that you give each one a good hard look, though, before you start discontinuing everything with wild abandon. Each service had some merit and possibilities or you wouldn't have signed up for it when you did. Perhaps in the hustle and bustle of your daily business, you have just lost sight of those possibilities.
When looking at these services, don't limit yourself to only looking at how much money the service costs you but be sure to look at how much money the service can make you if used properly.
Hey, the way gas prices have skyrocketed is a perfect example. It is costing us a lot more these days to drive around town. But, would this be your solution??? I seriously doubt it. You aren't going to stop driving your car. What can you do instead?
First, cut down on unnecessary car trips. This is where other technologies can come into play.
*Use an efax number or email to send documents instead of driving them around town.
*Keep your files in an online transaction management system instead of having paper files that you need to constantly go to the office to retrieve. Remember, if you paperwork is in a digital format on your computer, you may be able to turn in paperwork to your Broker through email instead of running it into the office.
*Setting up direct deposit with your Broker for your commission checks will save you both trips to the office and trips to the bank. Being paperless isn't easy in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, it can save you a tremendous amount of money.
Think of your car as a piece of your working technology and integrate as much as possible. Here are a couple of ideas:
*Does your car have blue tooth capabilities? Try syncing it with your contacts in Outlook. Now, you can easily call clients during your time on the road.
*Do you have GPS in your car? There are some very affordable portable systems out there and this will save you time and unnecessary gas money by keeping you from wandering lost.
The bottom line is that your car is a piece of technology that while it costs you money to operate ultimately it is saving you time (remember time is a commodity) and it is helping you to make money by giving you the ability to show property and get you where you need to be more efficiently than other modes of transportation.
I hope this will get the idea rolling around in your head. You should do this with every tools you use in your business. Always be looking for the return on your investments and don't be afraid to think outside the box.
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