| Fat isn’t a word normally associated
with startups. If your startup is like most, you’re already operating a trim, agile
operation. You have no choice. Money is tight and time is short. That’s why it’s
even more important to take time to make certain that you’re doing everything you can
to allocate your precious resources to the areas where they will deliver the best return
on your investment.
Ensure that you’re doing all you can in the area of optimization. When programmers
optimize software, they redesign applications to perform more rapidly or efficiently. You
can do the same with your business. Do you really need to install Microsoft Office on
every office desktop or can you be still be productive with two or three installations?
Moving the majority of your staff to OpenOffice or Google Apps could save you thousands in
software licensing fees.
Reevaluate your staffing needs. Employees are expensive. Yes, they’re necessary, but
not always. Outsource whenever possible. Renting a coder is easier than renting a car, and
usually cheaper. Place an ad on Craigslist, or visit a freelancer website. Chances are,
you’ll be able to find the expertise you need at a price you’re willing to pay.
This will also give you the opportunity to try before you buy. You may discover hidden
talent that you can later recruit for your permanent staff when you’re ready to
expand.
Even smaller startups can benefit from Dell Enterprise solutions.
You’ll enjoy upgraded customer service support and can choose from an array of
services, including network design and security, server management, mobile solutions,
cloud computing and even project management services. Enterprise solutions can provide
your company with flexibility and mobility. You can instantly scale your resources up or
down when needed and you’ll have the added benefit of knowing that your business goes
whereever you go. You’ll be able to operate from any city in the world, as long as
there is an Internet connection.
Business process management gives you the tools and resources you need to better serve
your customers. Marketplace changes shift quickly and sometimes it’s hard to keep
pace. The one thing you don’t need to do is keep reinventing the wheel. First
identify your business goals and then develop an action plan. Automating repetitive
business processes and creating useful documentation can not only save you money, but also
make you more efficient.
|
