Category: Operations

1. It’s easier, faster and helps you make sense of your figures

QuickBooks business accounting software is quicker than doing everything on paper and simpler than using spreadsheets. Sure, it probably won’t make your accounts exciting. But it will help you understand and stay on top of your finances.

2. Stop wasting time on pointless tasks

Still struggling with spreadsheets or plugging away with sheets of paper? Time could be wasted along the way. QuickBooks automates painful accounting tasks so you spend less time on jobs like invoicing, reconciling payments and creating VAT returns.

3. Watch sales like a hawk (or an investor)

Track every sale you make and every expense you incur, with up-to-the second cash flow figures. QuickBooks puts the very latest cash flow figures in front of you – so you can see exactly how you’re doing without bothering your accountant.

4. No maths or spreadsheet skills required

It’s not just faster. It’s easier too – master your accounts without manual calculations or tricky spreadsheet formulas. QuickBooks does the sums for you, using built-in formulas. That’s one in the eye for Excel!

5. You don’t have to commit until you’re sure

No matter which edition of QuickBooks you choose, you’ll get plenty of time to make absolutely sure it’s right for your business. There are both desktop as well as online accounting software. All the packages include either a trial period, or a 60 day money back guarantee – so you can buy with confidence.

Until recent times, small businesses were left in the dark when it came to commercial services, especially those that involved printing on a large scale. This cut small businesses’ chances of gaining good advertising and promoting their business – thus potentially losing their places in the market. However, now times are changing and there are more chances in the market for small businesses to progress, bigger commercial companies are tailoring their needs to the smaller business and in areas such as printing, can offer a wide range of services and can be a massive advantage to the business.

Firstly, printing can be done for businesses on demand, and instead of waiting for the materials to be shipped out to a small business; the finished result can be shipped out instead. This can save time and money for small businesses, especially those with a small workforce and thus can be utilized to do other jobs instead. This in turn makes economical use of the time and the working day instead of worrying about gathering materials for the latest advertising stunt/printing job and leaves the work to the printing company.

While printing services a few years back used to be rather expensive, printing companies are bringing in competitive prices that are more attractive to smaller business owners. With the amount of money used in a small business to buy state-of-the-art printers and the materials needed for the printing job, whatever that may be, the printing could be done off site for the same, if not a cheaper price. When ordering mass prints, this also brings down the price so smaller businesses could also get more for their money by using commercial printing services; and the services are sometimes included, which means that smaller businesses only need to hand over the template of the design, and the rest will be done my the printing company. Again, this saves time in the office and smaller businesses can employ their work force to be more effective in other areas of the company.

Lastly, a small business may not have access to the wide ranges of materials and techniques that printing companies can offer to them. Foil stamping and embossing, and wide format printing (printing on a bigger scale) are all services offered by printing companies and also the latest technology in printing (such as HP indigo printers) are used in the process; and as well as the wide range of materials being used a quality, professional look can be produced with much more ease and at a faster pace. This would potentially give small businesses a unique edge they may be possibly looking for in their printing jobs and advertising, and could be a big asset to the company.

Overall, in the modern age printing services have changed dramatically, accommodating for not only big businesses but smaller ones that need the services just as much as the larger corporations. Smaller businesses can benefit massively from the services of a professional printing company and can give them the boost in the market that may be needed.

For more information please visit Purely Digital (http://www.purelydigital.co.uk/blog/)

Article Contributed by Michael Koploy

Almost two years after the iPad’s announcement, Apple’s tablet device is taking the market by storm. In fact, in Q2 2011, research firm IDC reported that Apple’s device had 68 percent market share.

While the iPad is certainly popular among consumers, retailers are taking a large interest in the tablet PC industry as well. As could be expected, the iPad is one of the most popular hardware selections retailers are choosing – especially with entrepreneurs trying to gain a “tech-savvy” edge.

When it comes to using an iPad or any other tablet device in the store, retailers have numerous questions to consider when deciding which types of applications to invest in:

• How many iPads would I need?
• How much am I willing to invest in for both software and hardware?
• What core features do I need in the iPad applications?

Many retail software developers and vendors are responding to growing market demand. There are now a wide range of applications in the market, which vary in terms of price, purpose and functionality. Software Advice has recently published a guide on mobile retail applications compatible with Apple’s iPad device in iPad POS Software | A Guide to Mobile Point of Sale Applications. In the guide, ERP Analyst Michael Koploy provides three over-arching categories for iPad POS solutions: native applications, web-based applications and payment processing applications. Here’s a summary of each category with a few of the top vendors to consider:

Native iOS Applications. Both small and large developers are bringing to market retail apps for the iOS platform. These typically include much of the same functionality that can be found within solutions from the world’s largest retail software vendors. In addition to sales processing, these apps include inventory management, warehouse management, merchandising and reporting. Example vendors in this space include: Celerant, Epicor and Radiant Systems.

In addition, new software developers are creating some great solutions designed specifically for the iPad. POSLavu, for example, has created a PCI-compliant iOS app that runs on iPod Touches, iPhones and iPads. The app integrates with cash drawers and ticket printers to create a food-service application on par with traditional touchscreen solutions of the past. Other examples include: Revel Systems, SalesVu, ShopKeep and ISISPOS.

Web-based POS Applications. These applications may have been designed to run on the iPad, but they are perfectly accessible via Apple’s Safari web browser as well. Without a physical keyboard and mouse, these solutions can be a little more difficult to use than their native iOS cousins. But they can get the job done. These web-based apps are a great option for retailers unsure about investing in an iPad-specific solution and want a fully-featured application, or retailers looking to use a single iPad in their store. A few vendors to explore include: ECR, Netsuite and MerchantOS.

Payment Processing iOS Applications. Some retailers don’t need a lot of features, they just need the ability to process credit card transactions away from their credit card machine. Apps such as Square, GoPayment and Swipe are enabling the retailer to go mobile in 2011.With payment processing apps now offering competitive (i.e., cheap) processing rates, these solutions are more attractive and accessible than ever.

Michael Koploy is an ERP Analyst at Software Advice. He covers supply chain solutions and retail POS system software.

Article Contributed by Business Insurance

Corporations are notorious for being formal and stuffy, but not all big businesses are created equal. Over the last decade, more big-name companies are ditching the standard suit and tie and allowing their employees to wear khakis, jeans, and even (gasp!) flip-flops. These trend-setting companies have gone above and beyond the business norms to provide a comfortable and fun working environment for their employees, while providing awesome amenities like free gym memberships, complimentary dry cleaning, and on-site chefs to meet their daily needs. Check out these 10 big businesses with incredibly casual offices.

Google

Google was one of the first companies to adopt the laid-back corporate culture that emphasized creativity and achievements on an individual basis that add to the team’s overall success. One of the company’s 10 principle philosophies is “you can be serious without a suit.” This philosophy speaks volumes for the casual culture of Google. Not only is the dress code casual, but the overall look and feel of the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., is also laid back and fun. Google employees can enjoy ping pong, snacks in the break rooms, video games, and “huddle” rooms for everyone to take a break. Some additional office amenities include massage chairs, foosball and ping pong tables, an onsite gym, haircuts, and complimentary car washes.

Zappos

Zappos has put a lot of emphasis on its company culture and takes pride in being a casual yet successful business. Even though it was acquired by Amazon in 2009, Zappos has managed to hold on to the same values and company missions that it was founded on. Zappos’ casual work environment takes after the Internet marketing and e-commerce industries, which emphasize comfort over formality to help employees produce their very best work.

Facebook

Facebook also adopted a Google-like office culture that consists of casually-dressed, but hardworking youngsters. Facebook has offices in more than 15 countries, some of which have bean bag lounges, kegs, on-site chefs, and plenty of places to kick up your feet and relax. At the Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., employees have several unique amenities that fit the laid-back online culture. Workers can break a sweat on the outdoor skate park, play some tunes on the office turn tables, and take care of their laundry or leather repairs without leaving work.

Electronic Arts

EA is one of the biggest companies in the video game industry, with an estimated 8,000 employees worldwide. Although most of the EA studios and subsidiaries have embraced a informal office culture, the EA campus in Vancouver is one of the most casual and decked-out facilities within the company. The campus has a state-of-the-art building featuring a theater, restaurants, coffee bars, a complete fitness room, and a full-size soccer field. EA Canada is also the company’s largest and oldest studio, so, naturally, it houses the world’s largest video game test operation and many employees take advantage of this cool feature.

Twitter

Twitter is an online social networking service that knows how to have fun. The Twitter offices are located in San Francisco, San Antonio, Boston and New York City, and are chock-full of awesome amenities to keep their employees relaxed and satisfied. Twitter employees get to enjoy everything from free gym memberships, complimentary yoga/Pilates and rock climbing classes, as well as on-site laundry and dry cleaning services.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site and its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters has one of the most laid-back offices in the country. LinkedIn employees have many benefits and amenities in the office, such as a 24/7 gym with morning boot camp and afternoon yoga/pilates classes, chair massage,s and weekly lectures from entrepreneurs.

Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans’ corporate culture is uniquely different from other big-name companies. According to Quicken Loans, the keys to maintaining its competitiveness and great rapport with customers are the so-called ISMs that make up the company philosophy. The online mortgage lender puts more emphasis on the character and attitude of their employees rather than what they do. To enhance the company culture and give back to its employees, Quicken Loans offers some generous benefits and perks. Employees can enjoy 11 paid holidays per calendar year, free cappuccinos and slushies, concert giveaways, and ATM and dry-cleaning services.

AOL

AOL has also taken a casual approach to office culture and design. The Internet services and media company has adapted to changes in online culture by revamping their offices and turning them into inspiring and collaborative workspaces. To make this idea happen, AOL moved its West Coast headquarters to a new space in Palo Alto, Calif. Here, the company did away with private offices and designed open workstations and shared spaces, including a game room, an open kitchen and cafeteria, break rooms, and much more.

Genentech

Genentech has been regarded as one of the best and most desirable places to work, thanks to its unbeatable company culture. The biotech firm has garnered a lot of attention for its legendary perks, including doggie day care, weekly Friday night parties, an on-site farmers’ market, and rich stock options. But it’s not just the great perks that keep employees working for Genentech – they’re also attracted to the company’s emphasis on learning and having the freedom to experiment as they like.

Apple

Apple is no stranger to the casual corporate culture, so many companies have adopted over the past few years. Since its inception, Apple has fostered innovation and freedom of expression to make great things happen as a team. Apple’s casual corporate atmosphere started from the beginning when Steve Jobs reportedly walked around the office barefoot. Apple employees have some stellar benefits, including excellent health insurance and satisfactory military-leave pay, as well as awesome amenities like Apple product gifts and meals at Caffe Macs, where you might run into Apple’s top executives.

10 Big Businesses With Incredibly Casual Offices [Business Insurance]

Article Contributed by Danielle

Working for a corporation has introduced me to a culture I didn’t experience while employed with a smaller company, from team building efforts like volunteering for community projects to spirit days that draw upon employees’ creativity. When it came time for our office to change locations, I was happy to assist with necessary research, such as figuring out which moving companies would best suit our needs. Here are some tips that I gleaned during the process, advice that will ideally help you in your move.

I can easily say that our move could have been better organized. While everything arrived in our new offices in a timely fashion, we discovered that all of our chairs ended up in the break room because they hadn’t been labeled with anything besides our suite number. While it wasn’t a huge issue to rally our workforce and roll chairs to their proper locations, it also took time that we could have spent addressing our customers’ needs.

While it would be easy to place blame on the people who were responsible for labeling the chairs, the better plan is to be proactive and offer direction for future moves. It may seem overly detailed to label 50 or 500 chairs with something like “second floor, suite 100, blue conference room next to the women’s bathroom,” the movers will appreciate specificity and it won’t add much, if any, time to the job they’re already doing.

The other problem we experienced when moving was not giving ourselves enough time to get things set up after the move was completed. Luckily, the minor oversight did not affect our business with customers, who knew we were changing locations, but it made for some late evenings when we were already a little stressed from the change to our daily operations. Where we had been able to pack up our old offices at our own pace – some departments were able to start weeks before moving day – we did not have that sort of time in our new space. Tasks that were done and ready for the moving company upon their arrival, such as unhooking computers and labeling cords, were waiting for us when we arrived on Monday. Hooking up our computer system and making sure our network was connected was a production-delaying task that could’ve been lessened with a better system of organization, such as having the IT department work on a weekend when few employees were around.

Our best move – no pun intended – was hosting an open house in our new offices for our customer base. We served light refreshments, happily gave tours of our bigger location and its amenities, and generally aimed to ease any hesitation our clients may have had about our ability to handle their needs so soon after our relocation. The party was also a great chance to pass out our new business cards and introduce personnel who had come on board since our last gathering with clients. Though a few aspects of our move could have gone smoother, we learned from our mistakes and know better what to do next time we change offices.