All businesses should desire to simplify their operations. Doing so can lead to increased productivity, less employee confusion and fewer mistakes being made. Aside from employee improvement, there are plenty of tools available that can simplify your business. In fact, there are so many that deciding on the best ones and in what combination can be overwhelming. Below is an overview of some of the top tools, both free and paid, that you can use to simplify your business.
Cloud File Storage
Cloud file storage offers a number of advantages as opposed to traditional file storage. Employees can access them anytime. It will save on paper and printing costs as well as be good for the environment. It also helps boost productivity, because employees will be able to access files and collaborate on them from anywhere. Another significant benefit is you won't have to worry about losing all of your files in the event of a disaster, such as a fire or flood at your office. Be sure you subscribe to a service that has adequate security. Free options are generally not secure enough for standard business operations.
Square
Square makes it much easier for small business to accept credit cards and other electronic forms of payment. It offers a number of different types of hardware and services depending on the size of your business and its needs. The basic card reader, which plugs into a smartphone, is free. Most businesses that aren't artists or small vendors, however, would do better to get a Square Register, which acts like a digital cash register. They also have new Square for Retail tools that simplify the checkout process at small retail stores. There are no monthly fees - just a small percentage of each transaction.
QuickBooks
A dedicated accounting software is practically necessary in today's business world. QuickBooks is the most common and fully-featured, although there are alternatives to explore. Whatever you decide, accounting software simplifies your business operations by automatically generating revenue and expense reports, easily creating and sending invoices, simplifying tax preparation and more. Accounting software can also help prevent errors that can turn into audits, so it's worth it to see what is available.
Slack
Good communication is imperative in business operations, and Slack is designed to make that as easy as possible. It is essentially a workplace instant messaging platform. You can speak privately with someone, or with the entire team. You can send files through it. Slack is also available and optimized for mobile devices, making instant communication while on the go easier. When your entire staff is on the same page, workflow becomes considerably easier, simpler and more streamlined.
Trello
Trello is a popular project management program that simplifies project management. Many project management programs are feature-rich but can also add more complexity than they relieve. Trello set out to change all of that with a simple interface that lets you organize projects by boards, lists and cards. It is also ideal for keeping everyone in the office in the loop regarding changing plans, new ideas and last-minute adjustments. It allows employees to view what their colleagues are doing. Understandably, it is ideal for people who are more visually-oriented. Best of all, it can even be fun to organize and customize your thoughts and plans in this manner.
Other Software
There is software to aid in nearly every aspect of your business, and new options continue to come out. It is important for business owners to know what is out there and then decide which programs are right for their business operations. For example, your company might find business resource management software a worthwhile investment. It can help you keep track of all resources your business has, whether manpower, financial or supplies. Always use trials to get a feel for new software before you decide to purchase.
Look into these products and always be on the lookout for new ones as technological offerings continue to develop. If you can find and use the right tools to simplify your business operations, you and other employees can give your full attention to running and growing your company.
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