How Technology Helps Small Business Owners Save Money

                                                 

In the 1990s, small business owners had to wear several hats to conduct business. Today many technology advances such as mobile apps, wearable gadgets, telecommuting, text messages, social media, smartphones, mobile banking, mobile marketing and online banking have helped small business owners focus more on their business to generate revenue. 

Technology advances allow small business owners to communicate with customers in real-time. Small business owners can distribute large amounts data in seconds. These innovations have improved operations at small businesses and help small business owners expand into global businesses.

Small business owners can use technology to remain competitive, engage with customers and address current and future business needs. Business owners must innovate by continually thinking of new ways to generate business growth. Busines owners can hire a third party technology provider to help your business stand out from the competition. Here are four ways technology can help small business owners generate revenue, save time, money and resources. 

Automate

Use tools to conduct business operations faster and more efficiently. Increase productivity by automating business systems and processes, which helps save time, money and resources such as scheduling tools, social media posting tools, accounting and tax preparation tools and customer service tools.  Find inexpensive ways to get necessary services and use free or low-cost services. Find the most effective ways to fulfill current and future needs without affecting your bottom line.

Communicate

Use communication tools to give and receive information faster. Smartphones, social media, chats and email are necessary for small business owners to communicate with customers, employees, vendors and suppliers. These tools allow business owners to develop relationships and remain connected with their customer base, employees and vendors. Communication tools help improve internal and external communication and save money. 

Remote

Small business owners can use shared office space or work from home remotely by using technology that saves money on time and resources. Business owners can connect with colleagues, partners, employees and vendors in different locations and in different countries by using email, social media, cell phones, mobile devices and online collaboration tools such as SharePoint. Small business owners can also utilize remote conferencing tools such as teleconferencing, webinars, and online meeting spaces to collaborate to achieve goals and objectives anytime anywhere.

Use Analytics

Establish key performance indicators, surveys, and others metrics to measure business performance and gauge what is working and what is not working increase the quality of customer service and to help generate business growth. Ensure that work is always performed in alignment with business goals and objectives. Remain focused on where your business is now and where you want your business to go.

15 Dynamic Ways to Save Money on Cooling Costs

 

This has been a hot summer and many people have become dehydrated and overheated due to lack of air-conditioning in their homes and the hot temperatures.

Many homeowners incur lots of money during the summer to keep their homes cool.  Refrigerators and air conditioners are the largest consumers of energy. Air conditioning contributes to approximately 16% of the average household’s annual electricity bill. The amount of air conditioning you use depends on where you live and how many days a year you need to use your air conditioner.  The average costs spent on an air conditioning per year is $2,643 and the average home air-conditioning unit costs $280 per year. 

There are several alternatives to using air conditioning such as whole-house fans and evaporative coolers; however, they do not perform well in all climates. If you live in a state that has a lot of humidity, evaporative coolers are not a good option. If you don't have an attic a whole-house fan is a good option. If you have a hot attic an evaporative coolers is a good option.

Saving on air conditioning costs can also help the environment.  Cutting back on your air conditioning reduces your CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions by 5.4 lbs a week. The more electricity you use, the more carbon dioxide gets released into Earth’s atmosphere. An average household central air conditioner uses enough electricity each year to release of over 2 tons of CO2 into the air.  Here are 15 tips to stay cool this summer.

1. Turn up the thermostat.  Each degree higher you turn up your thermostat allows it to use 1-3% less electricity. Set your thermostat at 76 or 78 degrees F during the day.
2. Turn it off.  If you aren’t home during the day turn the air conditioner off. Program the thermostat to turn the air conditioner on an hour before you get home.
3. Room a/c.  Turn the room air conditioner to a warmer/cooler setting during the day when you are not at home.  Put room air conditioners in windows that are facing north or that are in the shade. A room air conditioner that sits in direct sunlight uses 5% more electricity.
4. Clean.  Clean or replace your air conditioner’s air filter every month when it’s in use. The harder the air conditioner has to work pulling air through the filter, the longer it runs and the more electricity it uses.
5. Usage. If the temperatures outside is cool at night turn your air conditioner off and open the windows or turn it down to a lower setting.
6. Fans. A ceiling fan provides added air circulation and can help keep your air conditioner set at higher temperatures. Make sure the ceiling fan is reversible and that it blows air down in the summer. Window fans and floor fans can provide cooling by getting the air moving or by helping move cooler outside air into the house at night.
7. Solar window film. Replace plastic window film with solar window film to help keep your home cooler by reducing utility costs.  The film prevents the sun’s rays from entering your home and reduces the need for air conditioning.   
8. Electrical Devices.  Don't place lamps, televisions or computers near your thermostat.  The thermostat can sense the heating coming from the appliances and will run longer than necessary.
9. Lights.  Don't turn lights on if your home gets natural sunlight.  Keeping lights off keeps your home cool.  Turn lights on only when necessary.
10. Insulate.  Seal any cracks or leaks around and inside your home and insulate your attic floor.  Install storm windows to save on energy costs.
11. Fresh air.  If you live in an area where it is hot during the day and cool at night, turn off the air conditioner and open the windows to get fresh cool air. In the morning close the windows and blinds to retain the cool air.
12. Cover windows.  Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through windows.
13. Ventilation.  Make sure you home is well ventilated.  Make sure bathrooms and the kitchen have vents that lead outside.
14. Maintenance.  Perform regular maintenance or air conditioning, heat pumps or other cooling devices.
15. Install a metal roof. Aluminum reflects sunlight. Metal reflects up to 70% of the sun’s radiation and loses its heat easily which helps keep the roof cool.

How to Successfully Dispute a Parking Ticket

 

Since 2008, many major cities have increased the number of parking tickets generated per month. This morning, I was at home and saw a parking enforcement officer driving down my residential street looking to give tickets to residents who were parked in front of their homes. Parking tickets can range from $15 to $150 depending on where you park and where you live. You should always pay yourself first and make money for yourself instead of making someone else rich.

When parking on any street read the signs carefully to ensure you do not violate them. Take a picture of the sign in the event you get a parking ticket. If there is no parking sign posted, read the parking meter sign. Take a picture of the parking meter and a picture of your parked car showing that no parking sign was present. In some cases, fraudulent parking tickets are written and drivers pay these tickets without investigating to ensure the ticket is valid. I have experienced this myself parking in Washington DC.  I parked at 10:30pm at a parking meter that ended at 10:00pm. I received a ticket at 11:00pm stating that I parked in a no parking zone. How can a parking meter be installed in a "No Parking Zone"? Here are 6 ways to dispute a parking ticket:

1. Call to dispute the ticket the next day after you received the ticket to try to find out why you received the ticket. Be pleasant and the agent may dismiss the ticket. If not, dispute the ticket by mail along with your documentation.

2.      Verify the ticket is valid by verifying the location, date/time, car make and model, tag number, date of registration, type of registration, registration expiration date, description of the car, VIN, meter number, and violation reason which should match the posted parking sign. If any of this information is incorrect you can dispute the ticket.

3.      Search for the traffic laws applicable in your city and make sure you have followed them and reference the law in a non-offensive way when disputing the ticket.

4.      Dispute the ticket by writing a letter and provide all the facts including: the make and model of your car, the date and time when the violation occurred, a valid explanation why you feel you were not at fault, list any parking signs and parking meter signs you saw, and identify any errors on the parking violation along with digital photos which is much harder to be denied. Staple all the documentation together putting the letter on top and the photos behind the letter.

5.      Request a hearing within 30 days from the date of the ticket. Bring all evidence and photos and witnesses with you and hope the officer doesn't show up.

6.      If you dispute a ticket and are unhappy with the decision, you can request an appeal. Rewrite the original letter and be even more pleasant in the letter. End the letter by stating that if they still stand by the original decision you request that the fine be reduced.

Remember, the regular laws may not apply when a city government is experiencing a financial crisis. If you do go into the city take public transportation, shared rides or catch a cab to prevent the risk of getting a parking ticket.