The Benefits Of VoIP For SMEs

Voice over Internet Protocol has evolved dramatically as a technology in the last few years and as it becomes cheaper to install, more SMEs are implementing it in place of traditional systems.

Unlike traditional means VoIP is a far more flexible option with a huge array of features and massive flexibility. As a solution for communication issues it’s a fantastic alternative to the traditional and offers a number of benefits which we’re going to take a closer look at here.

Big Player

The thing about VoIP is that it allows small businesses on mediocre budgets to keep up with larger companies that can benefit from advanced communication tools, at a far lower cost. This is the beauty of VoIP. Unlike a few years ago,
when options such as IVRs, call recording and audio conferencing were expensive and costly to implement, VoIP has changed this. This allows SMEs to work smarter and also give the impression they are larger businesses than they are.

Scalability

The scalability of the service is also something of note and VoIP can be easily added, expanded and altered as and when required. You can simply add or change phone numbers and as they’re not tied to your local exchange you can have any number you want from anywhere in the world you want. This sort of scalability and the options that come with it are something that a lot of people really like and the reasons a lot of SMEs in a wide range of businesses love this service.

Not Office Limited

Thanks to the wonders of the smart phone VoIP is not just limited to the office and in fact is easily extendable to mobile phones thanks to 3G. In essence, this means that it’s easy to carry all your office contacts and information in your pocket and remain in contact when on the road or away from home. For businesses with home workers this is also of benefit as it means they can work from home and still seem to be in the office. The other big benefit is that there are no expensive calls, as there would be if you were using it on a mobile phone contract.

VoIP works well for the vast majority of SMEs and it’s understandable why this is the case. Here are a few little things http://solutionbuilders.co.uk advise you to consider before implementing such a system.

Look at the requirements of your staff and see whether a service like this will benefit them and the way they work.
Cost is a big factor for moving to VoIP. The best way to determine whether or not you should is by chec
king your mobile and communication costs. It’s often easily possible to save 50% on costs with a VoIP service when compared to traditional lines.
VoIP is simply a voice call over the Internet – it should be not more complex than that, so don’t feat change
Will your business begin to grow soon? If so VoIP could be a far better option than trying to expand traditional channels.
Ask questions – a telecommunications vendor should answer them for you.

VoIP is a fantastic addition to a range of businesses and you should consider it if you’re looking for a change to your phone system or communications in general.

About the Author: Cormac Reynolds has written about technology for a half decade and has covered a range of solutions. He is a lover of sports and travel.

The Importance Of A Business-To-Business Partnership

The marketplace is a wild place. It’s no secret that the dog-eat-dog climate of working in a competitive industry with a determined company can be highly stressful and call for careful business planning and tactics. This is because with such huge opportunities and outlets for growth many companies are struggling to stay ahead of the curve and be the best at turning a profit. However, in such a financially and structurally diverse ‘jungle’ of a marketplace, sometimes it’s better to travel in a pack rather than be the lone wolf.

For years the business climate and ways of industry practice have been head to head. The cut throat decision making and make or break efforts of a business plan that were once reserved for only the largest multi-national conglomerate corporations has now trickled down into ever a serious competition between small local businesses. No matter what the industry, a company is best to wi
sely pick their friends and enemies. This is why many companies must know the importance of have a proper and productive business-to-business partnership.

What Is A Business To Business Partnership?

A Business To Business Partnership, otherwise referred to as B2B relations, is when two businesses work together to benefit from each other’s services. Often times one or possibly both of the businesses are client based. This means that they provide a good or service to particular individuals. A partnership allows for both companies to be more productive and profitable by gaining what the other has to offer. This can span from deals on each other’s services to joint promotional offers or campaigns.

Joining a business to business partnership is a very beneficial thing, but also a meticulous process that shouldn’t be rushed into. One of the best examples to give in regard
s to what a B2B relationship can be and how it can be organized is the use of many local cities like Austin, Texas, using voucher-based promotions from various companies. For instance one of the more famous programs used by companies all over the world is Groupon. They approach local or national businesses, both service and good based, to buy into their program. The program allows clients and consumers to get a business’ service or good at a discounted percentage, thus driving more traffic to that business while simultaneously promoting Groupon.

However, that is not the only discounted voucher-based program here in town. There are several different ones; Bellie, GoodyBag, Go Local. All of these offer their own rates and charges for setting up a discount voucher deal. This is where an individual business has to make sure the plan they choose benefits them most. Questions like “Is it cost-efficient?” and &ldquo
;What’s the prospected turn around of this investment” come into play because no business can profit in a partnership where they give more than they receive. Shopping around for the right B2B relationship is a major part of the decision, because in such a fast paced ‘shark tank’ of a businesses climate there is little room and time for a mistake of a partnership to form.

Contracting Business To Business Partnerships

We’ve all seen the in various scenarios the importance of having a paper trail. Contractual agreements are great legal evidence of an agreement made and hold up strongly if legal action should be taken. Having a proper contractual agreement between businesses in a B2B relationship is vital because it ensure that both companies will uphold their end of the agreement. This way there will be no question as to the duration of the partnership, the cost of the agreement on each end, and even the quality of service or good being received. Since both parties set out to benefit in a partnership it is in their best interest to uphold their end of the deal so that ethically, as well as legally, the other will do the same.

Taking legal action on a failed or insufficient partnership is always a scenario that is frowned upon. With all the effort that goes into orchestrating and designing a business to business partnership it is a shame to see it go to waste of a company’s failure to provide or uphold. However, these instances do happen and having a properly outlined and clearly stated contract signed and acknowledged by both parties is the easiest way to terminate or amend the situation without a long drawn out process that can jeopardize business.

Business to Business partnerships can be great and beneficial to a company at any level. If the proper steps are taken to make sure the agreement will be in a positive and efficient nature then both parties could definitely see their investment turn positive. With so many overlapping services and necessities that are provided amongst business competitors, B2B relations almost make sense when you’re looking to keep your company’s head above water. It is important to understand the weight of a contractual agreement should you enter one.

About the Author: Zach C. writes for Colley and Colley, LLP, a personal injury law firm in Austin, Texas.

Tips On Selecting Umbrella Companies – What You Need To Know

Umbrella companies act as an intermediary between your contractual business and your client. Your business does not need to be a limited company in order to reap the same benefits. While administrative and financial management may increase your costs significantly, these companies allow you to relax and outsource these tedious tasks. People are readily shifting towards the concept of self-employment by establishing their consultancy services and so, the ideology of umbrella companies is also on the rise.

Responsibilities of an Umbrella Company

An umbrella company is responsible for providing for your administrative and financial concerns. This includes managing your expense records, receiving payment from your client, deducting national insurance costs, and tax after taking due tax exemptions, and paying you a gross salary in exchange for a minor fee. It allows you to enjoy the perks of a self-employed business while also providing you with employment bene
fits.

Benefits of Contracting an Umbrella Company

The singularly most important benefit of getting an umbrella company is that it provides you with flexible free time. You can spend that with your friends and family which would otherwise have been spent managing your administrative concerns. This not only allows you to relax; it also accentuates the benefits of being self-employed.

Other benefits include your tax payments which are deducted and paid on your behalf after due adjustments are made, and giving free consultancy advice if you need any.

How to Choose the Best Umbrella Company?

There are numerous well established umbrella companies willing to provide services to you. However, it is important to note that all umbrella companies are essentially answerable to the Board of Inland Revenue. This means they cannot tweak around with your earning or tax payments. However, the only benefit any one company can provide over another is through the difference in their fee structures.

The best option is to go for an umbrella company with a fixed fee structure – so even if your earnings improve over time, you are not handing out more money in fees. On the other hand, some umbrella companies may demand for a certain percentage of your earnings. If your mathematics calculations provide you a better incentive in any of these plans as compared with other alternatives, there is no reason you should not capitalize on it.

Moreover, you should seek to find out about the terms and conditions of this contract. Are there any punitive charges if you decide to leave your umbrella company? Are there any hidden charges you will need to face each month? Can this contract impact you negatively in any way? Being forewarned will help you plan the future and cope up with all possible problems more effectively.

Lastly, and more importantly, you need to know how much time it will take for your earnings to get into your account. Some companies can transfer it into your account within two days of receiving it from your client – others may take longer. If time is sensitive, you would want to go for one which can provide you with your earnings as soon as possible.

About the Author: Mark is living at the beautiful island of Cyprus. His job is to help people who work abroad with the technique of umbrella companies. Check more information about is here http://www.groupchesterfield.com/umbrella-services

Sometimes You Gotta Make it Alone? The Benefits of Mentoring

It’s a thrill being an entrepreneur – it is a fantastic achievement to be striking out and working for yourself. You want to prove your strength and capability, but often this can mean taking on more than you are equipped to deal with. Maybe you might struggle having so much to do, get bogged down not knowing which ideas to choose, or you simply might not be able to focus on the most important things you need to grow your business.

Newsflash! You don’t have to go it alone – in fact it is better if you don’t!

mentoring
Image by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northeast Region

Help is at hand for small businesses in the form of Mentoring, and it can be HUGELY beneficial. Mentoring is a low cost, high quality solution – YOU are the most valuable asset to your business, so strategically enhancing your talents will translate into real results.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits:

A proven method to share ideas, try new skills and take risks
Transfer of knowledge and know-how
Learning from the experience and mistakes of experts
Coaching on achieving the objectives of your business, both short and long term.
Enhanced capacity to translate values and strategies into productive actions
Expanding your personal network to help open new doors for your business
Increased self-awareness, self-discipline and areas for improvement
Increased technical and professional expertise

Mentoring can take many forms. One on one is great for building a very in depth relationship with a mentor. Masterminds and group mentoring have the added benefits of not only making the most of the experience of your mentor, but also promoting diversity of thinking, practice and understanding by sharing ideas and expertise with your peers – the diversity of perspectives that emerges from group mentoring interaction is a powerful motivator!

So let someone else take some of the strain. Find a mentorship program or Mastermind that is right for you and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience of a seasoned professional to achieve big results!

About James T Noble

James makes small businesses bigger. He’s worked with some of the world’s largest brands and companies to market their products and services online – including Disney, Microsoft, 20th Century Fox, Virgin, Coca Cola, MTV and many others. Find out more and read business growth tips at http://www.JamesTNoble.com

Moving Your Small Business Forward: Exhibitions and Trade Fairs

If you own a small business and you think it’s time start boosting your sales as well as your profit margins, then look no further than business exhibitions. In today’s competitive market, it’s vital that you make the effort to get your brand name out there. This guide will tell you exactly how business exhibitions can transform your small business and its future, helping you move towards those profits and sales you always dreamed about.

Of course before you read on it’s important you know there are a few setbacks to exhibitions, all of which are expenses based.

Trade fair
Image by US Mission Canada / Flickr

The first of these is the cost of entering your stand into the exhibition, which is generally a fair amount (however it should come within your marketing budget). Secondly, you may be charged for overheads such as electricity, Internet and phone lines, as well as expenses like shipping products and display material to the convention centre. Don’t let these costs intimidate you though, exhibitions are great for small businesses, and here’s why:

Sample and promote a new product/service

If you’re entering a new product or service onto the market, sampling is of a high priority. Finding out what people think about it, what’s good? What’s bad? How can it be improved? Whilst you are asking people to sample your products, you are also marketing your product and your business which is why it is so important to make a good first impression.

Discover new leads

Business is all about communication, and communication can come through many different mediums. With exhibitions you have the opportunity to communicate with many new potential customers/clients, and creating these contacts for your company is vital. This is true especially when searching for new customers, as well as to aid growth and expansion. It is also important to replace those customers that over time have drifted away from your business, helping you to keep a strong customer base.

Chase after your new leads

It’s all well and good talking to people and taking business cards at these exhibitions, but what’s more important is the following up process. In this sense, exhibitions will provide you with an assist towards your main goal of making long-term contacts. With these new relations you can build further links “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know”. But you MUST follow up; don’t leave those business cards gathering dust. You need to know from these new leads which ones are likely to buy soon, and which ones may buy in the future. Qualify them, and follow up, tailoring your approach for each one accordingly.

Meet powerful people

Sometimes everyone needs a little dose of inspiration and incentive; try achieving this by talking to influential figures at exhibitions. This will help you to gain some perspective and insight towards your outlook – a few words of wisdom can go a long way. So push aside any feelings of nervousness, feel confident and put the success of your future first! Plus you never know when you might need some powerful contacts in your industry…

Receive media coverage

The media has become such a prolific part of today’s society that most media attention you can get is (normally) good marketing. With the current rise in just Social Media alone, you will find plenty of opportunities to receive media coverage for your small business at numerous commerce exhibitions. But remember, you need to contribute to this – use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and so on to publicise your presence at an exhibition. And have a press kit handy, in case you get a chance to speak to any journalists.

Practice makes perfect

As your company grows, you as a boss will need to do a fair bit of public speaking to important people such as investors or new clientele. Whilst you have the opportunity to do so, carry out some pitches at exhibitions to build your poise and self-belief in talking to powerful people. It’s a much smaller audience, but they’ve most likely come over to your stand because they’re interested in what you do, so it’s an excellent opportunity to practise. Another thing to remember is you may do some paid speaking in the near future, so get some free training in early whilst the chance is on the table!

About the Author: Astro Exhibitions are a firm of exhibition stand designers based just outside Manchester. They have built custom exhibition display stands for companies from all round the world for events across Europe.