Basic tools you should have in your arsenal
October 6, 2008 by Becky Scott
Don’t know where to start when it comes to getting organized? We all have to begin somewhere. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Start small. Work your way up. And make sure you have some essential tools to help you. Here are some tools that we should all have in our business arsenal.
1) A computer – this one is pretty obvious to most of us. You can track your invoices so you know how much money you should have coming in. You can track expenses so you know what’s going out. Both of those will let you know whether you are profitable – or at least heading that way. You can use an electronic calendar to keep on top of tasks and appointments. There are so many things that you can do with a computer. It’s one of the top essentials.
2) E-mail – very few businesses can get by without e-mail in this day and age. Think of it as a way to do business faster, with less paper clutter.
3) Phone – whether it’s a land line or a cell phone, you need one so your customers can reach you. Not everyone wants to fire off an e-mail. And make your phone number easy to find. Nothing frustrates customers more than not having a choice about how to contact you – and having to dig for a phone number.
4) Printer – another obvious one, so you can print and mail your invoices. For convenience, space-saving, and a little less expense, try a combination unit that includes printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. If you don’t make a ton of copies, this is an economical way to do things.
5) Filing system – you need either a filing drawer or a small cabinet, hanging files, and folders to go inside. And you’ll need to think about how you want to set it up.
This list is by no means complete. It’s just a basic starter. As you look through the archives, you’ll find many more suggestions about what you’ll need to set up your office. And we’ll continue to bring you ways you can use these -and many other- tools to work more efficiently.
What tools do you consider an absolute must for doing business?
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