by Joyce
Not literally a change, per se, but more like an expansion of focus…
As I have grown as a business owner and grown as a blog writer, I have found that I’d like to write more about growing a small business, as a whole, instead of just the accounting/financial aspect of it. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’ll still write about accounting, finance, tax preparation/planning issues, payroll vs independent contractor issues, etc but going forward, I plan to write more about the journey of building a business and the things/tools that can help us along the way.
So why the change? I started my business 7 years ago with the primary aim of providing affordable accounting solutions to small business owners. That expanded to tax preparation for businesses & individuals…then that expanded to payroll services for small business owners. Now, I haven’t expanded because I think I know everything or can do everything, out of vanity or any desire of my own. In the past, as now, I have expanded because i took the time to listen to my clients & fulfill their needs. As their trusted advisor, I have been asked to point them in the right direction. So I will use this blog, this platform to do just that… point my aspiring entrepreneurs, microbusiness owners, small business owners in the right direction. It is my hope that you will look to my blog & my website as an invaluable resource and that you will visit often.
With my expansion of focus, I look forward to having guest bloggers in the near future. If you have an area of expertise that can help growing small business owners & aspiring entrepreneurs (especially law, marketing & branding)… I want to hear from you!
Cheers!
Joyce
Questions & Comments… as always, are welcomed!
by Joyce
I tend to read a lot (or at least I try to). Lately, I have been reading more thing online instead of off-line but I wanted to remind my fellow entrepreneurs and business owners that learning does not stop when you get a diploma or a degree. Learning continues until, well… you know. Anyway, here are a few of my favorites that I thought would be helpful to others as they begin/continue their journey of independence.
The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber
Duct Tape Marketing – John Jantsch
Get Clients Now – CJ Hayden
How To Sell Without Being A Jerk – John Klymshyn
Successful QuickBooks Consulting – Michelle L. Long, CPA MBA (this one is good for consulting in general)
These are books that I have read and re-read…hope you find them as helpful as I have.
Do you have a small business, marketing or branding resource that you have read & refer back to over and over again? Please share your literary choices. Thanks & Enjoy.
by Joyce
I have a similar blog post in December, 2008. Enjoy ~ Joyce
Excerpt: Throughout the 2008-2009 recession we have seen a rash of articles about why it’s a good time to start a business. Sometimes I feel those articles are more a matter of the writer trying to convince himself or herself that it’s a good time to start a business, than convince anyone else! After all, some people lose their jobs and then become unwilling entrepreneurs.
Still, it’s true that a recession can be a rare opportunity to start a business. One reason: competitors (especially large corporations) are distracted by their own market challenges.
That can be good for you if you are thinking of starting — or expanding — your business. It means others in the marketplace are not minding the store. It could provide just enough of an opening in the market to get a toehold to scale new heights.
If you’d like to read more – Another Reason Recessions are a Good Time to Start a Business
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by Joyce
Buried under a mountain of paperwork? Vendors calling you incessantly? Let’s face it, accounting isn’t fun. There are financial reports that you don’t understand, checks to prepare and mail, deposits to run to the bank and on and on. There just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day.
As a small business owner, focus on what you do best. So unless you actually enjoy tedious tasks, deadlines that never end, employees that give you that “will my direct deposit work this time” look… what you do best probably doesn’t include accounting. So pass the buck and let others do it for you.
Why should you outsource? Because contrary to popular belief, outsourcing done right, saves time and money. How? A lot of small businesses try to do everything but you have to find balance. By relinquishing tasks that don’t bring in the bucks, you garner more coveted time to focus on money making activities and save not only time but pieces of your sanity.
Check out the contestants
Before going all gung ho for outsourcing, be sure to check out your options and compare apples to apples. Ask what functions are available, what do you have to do (for example do you need to input hours, send a file, etc) and most important, know what your needs, requirements and preferences. Once you find the right fit, go for it.
“Pass the buck” downers
I would be a “Pollyanna” if I neglected to inform you of the potential pitfalls of passing the accounting buck by outsourcing. Here are a few.
- Inability to customize services so you only pay for the features you need/want.
- File swapping…you send them a file of your accounting information, they review your information and send you a file back for you to upload to your accounting software. A lot of steps, especially if you’re not a computer genius. Or if your provider is in the pre-internet age, they literally pickup the computer file as well as documents…and bring them back when the work is completed.
- Emailing files. Not the most secure way of transporting them. You may or may not have access to your accounting file to input current data while the accountant is away and if you’re impatient, merging files may be a hassle.
Picking the Buck Recipient
We can’t advocate this enough, do your research! Look around at what is available and do what works for you and your company. Some things to consider…
- Consider internal & external options – some service providers charge by the hour and others at a flat rate or per diem (as needed). Caveat: compare apples to apples.
- Consider those that will integrate with your software systems such as payroll and crm. There are distinct advantages to entering information one time.
- Consider the personality of your company. Match it to that of your service provider.
- Consider the features available, including real-time and/or virtual access, and compare them to the features you need. Don’t pay for more than what you need.
- Consider making a decision to outsource sooner than later. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did and you’ll probably wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Don’t forget, keep up with your service provider and spend time focusing on what you love, the things you’re good at. After all…that IS why you got into business. Right?
Common Cents Consulting and it’s subsidiary, Common Cents Outsourcing, were created to provide virtual accounting & payroll alternatives to small businesses on the go without sacrificing quality. Need help choosing an outsourcing provider? We’re happy to help…even if you don’t choose us! http://www.commoncentsoutsourcing.com/
(c) Common Cents Consulting LLC – Common Cents Outsourcing 2008
*originally published on www.ezinearticles.com
by Joyce
Before you make any phone calls, take some time to do some self-reflection. Reflect on your business and how it currently functions, what you do well and what you can do better. Then ask yourself, what functions do you want to outsource? can outsourcing help you perform some things better? and what is your budget?
Interview a few outsourcing providers just like you would if you were hiring an in-house staff person. Like choosing an in-house bookkeeper, accountant or payroll processor, ask “interview” questions. Here are
10 Questions you should ask. In addition, ask yourself if the provider’s style and available services coincide with your business’ philosophy and style. If not, you may be attempting to force a square peg into a round hole and what may have been a less expensive alternative in the beginning, may end up being a costly experiment. So choose wisely.
Quick Recap: decide to outsource; do some self-reflection on your business needs; interview a few providers (at least 2) and make a decision who your provider will be. Remember cheaper doesn’t always equal better.
Congratulations on deciding to outsource. That decision in and of itself is HUGE so give you’re some kudos for admitting that although you are a small business/solo practitioner, you can’t do it all. Believe me, as a small business owner, I can relate…
Hope this helps!
Joyce
PS. Please, keep in mind that just because you are outsourcing, you should never abdicate management…you should always keep “an eye on the store.” Your provider has a responsibility to you as a client and should take that responsibility seriously.
