Five Ways to Make your Micro Business Smarter in 2023
It is pretty cliché to think of the next twelve months in advance in January, it makes me wonder if new years’ resolutions are a “Hallmark” invention. So, what if it is? Here you are reading this blog, and I have your attention for about the next 30 to 180 seconds. Incidentally this blog will take 240 seconds to read, but if you want a killer year in your business with all your tech guns firing, I guarantee the extra 60 seconds with be worth your while.
Buy a New Laptop
First, buy a new laptop, because you probably didn’t get on one Black Friday and Cyber Monday and Christmas and Boxing Day. Now if you really missed those four holiday receiving opportunities and getting some new gear, well you are sad, and you need a pick-me-up. Getting a new laptop is exciting, so let’s make 2023 exciting. It’s also smart.
Caveat: if your laptop is less than three years old, well maybe you don’t need to waste your money.
Counter-Caveat: but if your laptop is less than three years old and it is slow and you hate it, well get out there, or on there (cdw.ca) and get yourself a new faster computer.
But don’t buy any computer, you don’t want to be sitting there in January 2024 and be down in the dumps again cause you hate your computer. Your new computer should have at least an Intel i5 CPU, 16 GB’s of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Also, try and buy a computer with Windows 10 Pro; this will be a challenge because most stores only carry Windows 11 Home, you want to save time not waste time. Windows 10 Pro = productive 2023. Windows 11 Home = sadness.
I wrote a blog about buying a new computer, it’s a little dated, I’ll write a new one soon, yet the principles still apply. On a serious note, the reason you buy a new laptop is mainly that it will be faster and you will be saving time. Click this link for a custom search on CDW.ca as a starting point to search for laptops with my recommended specifications. CDW is a great place to buy business class computers which you won’t find at Costco or BestBuy.
Move Business Processes to the Cloud
In every business, there are a couple of key processes that are used to get things done. These might be applications that run on a server in the office, an accounting program that only runs on a couple of computers, or even pen and paper that is used for keeping track of tasks, or the worst, your business process is in your head. Moving a business process to the cloud streamlines that process and makes it accessible from multiple devices and multiple locations.
Some people call these applications line-of-business applications. That is to say, it is their keystone business application. Our business has two, without them we simply could not run Pluto Micro. I’ve seen these cloud applications in restaurants, auto mechanic shops, medical offices, law firms, accounting firms, advertising agencies, etc., etc. Each of these applications is specialized for a specific industry by design, or the application has been specialized by the business owner. Most importantly, their line of business application is accessible whether at the office, at home, or from the beach.
Does your business have a key business process that could be moved to the cloud?
One thing that is typically not unique to every business or industry is accounting. Every micro business, small business, solopreneur, startup, and non-profit needs an accounting program. Moving to a cloud-based accounting program will definitely make your business smarter. Some of the options are Quick Books Online, Sage 50 Cloud, Xero, Freshbooks, and Kashoo. Imagine your banking, AR, AP, expense, etc being accessible from your laptop, cell phone, and that your bookkeeper can get their work done faster from their device.
Implement Microsoft 365 or Use it Better
Another cloud-based application, actually many applications, that is not unique to a specific industry, but that every business should use is Microsoft 365. The value of Microsoft 365 for micro businesses is so great it is nearly impossible to ignore and unconscionable to not place as my number one recommended business application.
Microsoft 365 includes best-in-class email hosting, team collaboration, video meeting and presentations, and file sharing; not to mention the ubiquitous Microsoft Word and Excel. One of the latest capabilities included in Microsoft 365 is its ability to implement a full telephone system with direct phone numbers and automated answering menu.
Recently the computer of a customer died in the field. They called me, but there was nothing I could do for the dead computer, but there was a spare in the office. Without me having to provide very much support they were able to login into the spare computer with their 365 credentials, open Teams to connect with the rest of the office, and open Outlook to retrieve their email. The topping on the cake was that they were able to open OneDrive to continue working on their files that they were working only mere hours before their computer literally burnt up. All this for $16 a month.
Make a New Website on Square Space
If your website needs a refresh, as in it hasn’t changed in two years, build a new website at https://www.squarespace.com/ . While WordPress is still the dominant website platform, you’re going to need a developer to get going, somebody to keep it secure now and in the future, and a lot of folks still need a developer after it goes live just to make a simple update. WordPress is complicated.
With Square Space, you can easily create a modern and sophisticated website that is easy to manage. It is simple enough that you can get started on your own, or you can hire some experience to quickly get your new site up. It’s not a bad idea to involve a marketing services provider, that is super smart.
If you decided that a marketing agency is the right step, ask them about their current customers, even ask for a reference. Their current customers will be an indication if they are a fit for your small business. If they talk about a business 5 times your size, they are probably not going to be the right fit. Infinite Marketing , a full-service marketing firm supporting companies of all sizes, is one agency that understands small business.
Hire an I.T. Services Provider
Last, but maybe first is to hire an I.T. services provider. Obviously, this is a plug for Pluto Micro, the site you are reading this blog on. However, this is actually non-biased information designed to help you make an informed decision. An I.T. services provider will easily be able to help you with the first three things we talked about, and maybe even Square Space. Don’t ask an I.T. services provider for help with marketing, unless you don’t need any new customers. 😊
I.T. services providers go by a few different names. Not like when you need a plumber, you Google “plumber” in whatever city you are in, and wha-bam you’ll get 10 recognizable names on the first page. Consider these search terms “IT support”, “IT Services”, or “managed IT services” when you need I.T. support for your small business.
When you reach out, most I.T. service providers will want to know how many computers are in your company and/or how many people; that is because they want to create an agreement with you to bill you so much per person or per computer for their services. Some providers won’t even consider your business unless you have X number of people or will commit to $xxxx per month. Look for an I.T. service provider that is flexible.
What is most important is the right relationship, you will be trusting your I.T. provider with the keys to your kingdom. You’ll want at least a minimum monthly engagement from your provider that connects you to them and takes care of your basic security, not a once-and-done guy. To be certain, although some providers have monthly plans that cost a lot, there is value in those monthly plans, both apparent and less so.
One thing special about Pluto Micro is that our plans are as easily deciphered as a subscription to Netflix. Have a look: Pricing — Pluto Micro. We don’t know of any other I.T. services provider that is more transparent than us.
Even one of these 5 suggestions will make your small business smarter and faster in 2023, imagine if you implemented more than 1! We would be glad to help where we can. If you are the independent type, the last 6 minutes of your time should have your mental gears turning and get you going in the right direction.