When you decided to go into business you probably looked at your product or service and said something like, "Hey, I can make a living at this." When you actually put the wheels in motion, I bet like most people, you quickly realized how daunting the details were in getting the thing up and running. The ongoing tasks that take time away from the part of the business that intrigued you in the first place can make your head spin. Who knew that in order to sell "widgets," you'd have to be an expert at negotiating everything from real estate down to a credit card terminal? I've spent decades doing business start up consulting, and the first thing I did was to put all the "negatives" out on the table. I wanted my clients to go in with eyes wide open. Only then if that didn't scare them away before making and investment, would I work to find the best values in those things they needed to run their business more profitably, and to protect it in case life happened. (And doesn't life ALWAYS happen?)
Now I work mostly with existing businesses in continuing to find the best values in products and services to increase profits. I review everything from how they process their payments (which can slowly bleed a company dry if on the wrong program for their business) to making sure they have the best benefits programs in place so that when they have a major illness or injury their business and personal assets aren't at risk. What? You'd like me to list them here? That's a very good idea. However, what is a good fit for one business is rarely the same fit for another. If any provider for your services wants to just offer you a rate on whatever it is they are selling without getting to know YOUR situation...RUN! That would mean that they had to have built some extra profit in there SOMEWHERE to cover for all the unknowns they just left on the table...or they won't provide the service at the rates promised when the unknowns come up. Do you want to be left hanging? Do your own audit on the products and services you pay for. If you want to make sure they are the best value out there you can take the time to become an expert in each, or you can just call someone who all they do is customize these things for you based on your needs and budget.
One thing I've learned in business is very true, "Procrastination IS the thief of opportunity." Every day you don't revisit the price you are paying for products and services, is a day your profits were diminished forever. Even worse, is taking time away from the actions that produce revenue from your business to try to find the best deal on each and every thing you need for your business. Find someone you can trust to do this. Someone who has YOUR bottom line in mind. Now you can get back to the business of running your business!!
