| Now more than ever, small businesses need ways to | | | | self-hosted solution, this is not a time to short-change |
| drive and improve business productivity and maximize | | | | your cash management. |
| investments on each small business IT solution in | | | | 5. Back It Up. Can the server in your IT closet |
| order to deliver excellent customer service and | | | | withstand a flood, fire, tornado or your building's |
| accelerate revenues. The good news is, there are | | | | sprinkler system? If you've answered no or are |
| numerous, actionable steps business owners can | | | | unsure, consider offsite data backup services as a |
| follow to move beyond survival mode into thrive | | | | part of your small business IT solution. Scrimping now |
| territory. | | | | may cost you later. |
| When you think about IT, you may immediately see | | | | 6. The Search Is On. Search engine optimization |
| dollar signs, but there are ways to maximize your IT | | | | improves your rank on sites like Google and Yahoo!. |
| expenditures, which will ultimately help boost revenue. | | | | A few keywords can improve your business |
| According to market research, small business IT | | | | productivity by catapulting your ranking in only a few |
| solution spending is on the rise. International Data | | | | months and earning you more business. |
| Corporation (IDC) forecasts that small and medium | | | | 7. Be Smart and Social. Do some social media due |
| sized business spending on IT will increase 5.5 percent | | | | diligence to find out if your industry cares about |
| over the 2010-2014 forecast period. Research also | | | | tweets, friends or followers before you invest |
| shows that IT decision makers for small and medium | | | | valuable resources in social media. |
| sized businesses will be focusing more of their time | | | | 8. More Productivity, Fewer Problems. Focus on |
| on IT expenditures, however with a limited budget. | | | | services that improve business productivity, like |
| Since small businesses continue to feel the pressures | | | | providing your mobile sales force with anywhere |
| of the economy, they will remain cautious in their IT | | | | access to your office's network. Even though the |
| spending, but these simple tips will help maximize the | | | | economic tide is starting to improve, your customers |
| benefits of your small business IT solution | | | | still expect you to do more with less. |
| expenditures and help create dramatic increases in | | | | 9. Inspect Your IT. Complete a technology audit of |
| your productivity and overall business growth. | | | | each small business IT solution that you pay for and |
| Below, I have outlined 10 tips that businesses owners | | | | determine its value. For example, what benefit does |
| should consider and execute to boost profitability and | | | | the company receive from employees having |
| improve business productivity. If you're an | | | | unlimited texting? |
| entrepreneur, consider one or all of the following tips | | | | 10. Consolidation Is King. Move voice, data, web |
| to take your business to the next level. | | | | hosting and other IT services to a single provider so |
| Boost Profitability with a Cost-Effective, | | | | you only have to pay one bill or contact one provider |
| Comprehensive Small Business IT Solution | | | | if you have a question. A consolidated small business |
| 1. Boost Your Email. In the world of small business | | | | IT solution will save you time by not having to chase |
| today, email is the central form of communication. It | | | | down different providers for one problem. |
| enables you to communicate efficiently with your | | | | 11. Count on the Cloud. Prioritize your technology |
| fellow employees and customers. Equipping your | | | | decisions by how much they will accelerate your |
| business with a reliable and robust email platform is a | | | | company's ability to grow and thereby improve your |
| critical piece to improving business productivity. | | | | business productivity. For example, using cloud-based |
| 2. Build a Web Presence. If your small business does | | | | services gives your business access to |
| not have a web presence then you are missing a | | | | productivity-enhancing technology at a fraction of the |
| golden opportunity. There are tools available at your | | | | price. |
| fingertips that will help you create a website that is | | | | 12. Can the Spam. Spam costs US companies almost |
| interactive and engaging for your customers and | | | | 22 billion dollars each year, and has a significant |
| prospects; try adding video or a blog. | | | | impact on employee productivity and business |
| 3. Work the Web. Does your website still fit the | | | | growth. Proactively protect yourself by self-filtering |
| needs of your business? If not, it may be time to | | | | incoming emails. If you receive an email from |
| upgrade to a small business IT solution, such as an | | | | someone you don't know or don't recognize, simply |
| e-commerce system, that enables you to sell your | | | | delete it. |
| products or services online. | | | | Growth is good. Follow the tips above to improve |
| 4. Upgrade Your Apps. Move your accounting off the | | | | business productivity, accelerate growth, and prepare |
| spreadsheet and into a professional accounting | | | | for unmatched success with a comprehensive small |
| software application. Whether free or | | | | business IT solution. |
| subscription-based software on demand or a | | | | |