Friday, October 30, 2009

Cost Cutting For Businesses - 13 Tips For Trimming Expenses

Our parents and grandparents were a part of the reuse it, non disposable generations. When resources get scarce, we find ourselves reanalyzing how to cut costs and save money. There is a frugal movement taking place in our country now and it has been a long time coming.
13 Tips To Save Money During Tough Times
1. Refit your home and business premises for energy savings. Stop those air leaks, turn off the lights when leaving the room. In Europe many hotels have motion detectors in the hallway that turn on the lights only when someone enters the hallway and elevators that start running only when someone approaches them rather than all the time.
2. If you have a business that has a fleet of cars, when the time comes, switch to hybrids. We cut our gas bill in half with a new hybrid Camry that gets 36 mpg. There was also an attractive tax credit we received that offset a good portion of the sale price.
3. Shop at the wholesale clubs and share costs of office supplies, cleaning supplies and paper products with your business neighbors. dallas real estate
4. Barter. If your business offers a product or service appropriate for barter, ask a supplier if there are any trade possibilities. Or join a barter association where you offer your products or services and gain points to trade for other products or services.
5. Turn off all computers and copiers when not is use and shut off the power at the source. Some electronics use 25% of their power when in standby mode. This can be easily done by plugging the computers and copiers into a surge protector.
6. Need advertising? Craigslist.com is free. So is a Facebook Pay Per Click ad. You only pay when someone is interested enough to click on your ad and you can set a maximum daily budget.
7. Recycle, reuse. There is no longer any stigma attached to reusing printed paper and printing in house documents on the backside of the paper for cost savings.
8. Check Ebay for bulk items, office equipment and supplies.
9. Join an online forum in your industry to see what others in your niche are doing to cut costs.
10. Share advertising costs with a company in an associated industry. For example, a real estate company may share ad costs with a title company or appraiser. An accounting firm could line up with a law firm. A beauty shop could align an ad with a spa or clothing store. dallas real estate
11. Recycle used ink cartridges at your local office supply for credit on new cartridge purchases. We get $3.00 off on each new one.
12. Add more value to employee jobs. Can't give a raise? One company we know found a local gym that gave excellent discounts to employees. Some local restaurants or sandwich shops may give employee discounts.
13. If things really get tough, you may be forced to outsource some positions that used to be handled in house. Google Virtual Assistants in your town to find an independent contractor to provide administrative services as needed. A virtual assistant can type letters, do data entry, marketing campaigns, graphic design and some are capable with bookkeeping processes. Best of all, you only pay them for work performed and most will work off site. Contact the International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA) for someone local with proper credentials.
When times are tough, we need our neighbors more. By working together we have a better chance of survival as business owners.
The good news is all downturns are temporary.
With the above tips, you can save needed capital, educate your employees about cost savings and get through the tough times. Best of all, these saving ideas can survive even when the economy improves and your business recovers.

Houses for Sale in Dallas - 5 Powerful Tips to Help You Sell Your Home Faster

If you are a seller of a single family home, new home, luxury home or condo for sale in Maryland, then there are techniques that you can employ to ensure that your real estate offering stands out where others fall flat. The real estate market is a tough one to function in presently - and every trick of the trade can benefit you if employed properly. Implement the following tips to maximize your chances of converting your home for sale in Maryland into the next home sold in Maryland.

Tip #1: No Pressure Applied

Houses for sale in Maryland are loaded with high-pressure sales agents. Do not be one of them. Instead, graciously greet prospective buyers, offer to answer any questions that they may have - and then leave them alone in the house. You want them to envision themselves living it. You want them to be able to communicate openly and freely - as if you were not there. So, don't be. Make yourself available without producing any type of pressure on the buyers.

Tip #2: Make the Property Comfortable

Properties, especially condos for sale in Maryland, are often left at uncomfortable temperatures when unoccupied. Take the time to show up before appointments and get the temperature set correctly. Make the interior of the property feel like home. Make it invite the prospective buyers to stay a while and enjoy how it makes them feel. Worry about the utility bills another time. dallas real estate

Tip #3: Create an Enticing Mood and Ambiance

Luxury homes for sale in Maryland should represent luxury to prospective buyers. Take the time to set the scene for them before they arrive. Put on some soft music. Light the fireplace. Set a chilled bottle of champagne on a table near the fireplace - and make sure to leave them alone to enjoy it! Use noise-dampening devices like water fountains to make the buyers feel relaxed and at home. That's the whole idea!

Tip #4: Don't Blast Your Buyers with Loud Scents

New homes for sale in Maryland should smell fresh already. In older homes and/or condos, it's alright to use some type of scents in the air, but make them mild and pleasing - never loud. It's best to let fresh air circulate throughout the unit, unless the weather outside will not permit it. Also, skip the open windows if there is a lot of noise outside. It's a good idea to simmer some spices or even bake some cookies for your prospective buyers. Whatever you use to please their noses, just make it mild and discrete. dallas real estate

Tip 5: Feed Them!

People love to eat - so feed them! You don't have to hire a professional caterer, but you can certainly entice them to visit longer by offering some finger sandwiches, soft drinks, water, desserts and the like. Remember, the goal is to make your prospective buyers feel at home in every way that you can. Treat them well and encourage them to visit as long as they care to - with no pressure.

As in all locations across the country presently, there are many new homes, luxury homes, condos and other homes for sale in Maryland. You don't want to have a home for sale; you want to sell your home. So, take the time to use professional techniques and entice your prospective buyers in every way.