08 Apr Small Business Office Machines: Get the Most from Your Equipment
As a small business owner, you know that you need to make every single dollar count. That’s why you probably pay very careful attention to the machines you use on a daily basis.
However, working with a lot of equipment, especially pieces that work in ways you probably don’t truly understand, can be daunting. It can also be tough to figure out when you need to upgrade and when the machines you’re using now are doing the job just fine.
Luckily, there is help out there to guide you. Use this quick primer to learn more about how to maximize your technology dollar as a small business owner.
Can You Afford it?
Sometimes upgrading your business machines can make you feel more productive. Maybe they’ll save you money in the long run, like on printing costs when you buy a more efficient printer.
However, if you can’t really afford the initial cost of a business machine, you need to consider saving until you can. Many small business owners are in this boat, and buying everything on credit isn’t always a wise decision.
If you must buy on credit, make sure you have a plan to pay it off before the interest kills you.
Do You Need the Newest Thing?
Spend enough time looking through business catalogs or shopping online and following buttons that tell you to click here for the best deal and you’ll think you need a million dollars worth of equipment delivered the next day. The fact is that most small business owners don’t really need the newest possible pieces of equipment to do business.
Are your machines working for you now? If they are, why wouldn’t you wait to upgrade until you reach a system failure or the machines you have aren’t operating at the appropriate speed anymore?
You also need to think about efficiency versus cost. Sure, a new machine might save you a few minutes in time, but is that really worth the added expense? For many small business owners, sticking with tried and true machines for as long as possible is the best method.
You can always upgrade down the road when you really need to. Save that money or use it for something just a little bit smarter that will help your business really grow.