Helping Small Business Clients Work Smarter

From the June 2009 Issue

When it comes to a small business’ financials, there’s little doubt to whom most go for advice: their public accountant. And they often turn to this same person when making decisions about software and other technology tools. After all, their accountant is frequently a small business owner, too. Plus, the tax and accounting professional’s expertise through business consulting services leads these small business owners and managers to assume their accountant will know exactly what they need in order to be more productive.

That’s a major challenge when it comes to technology. You can’t very well keep up on all of the technology trends and advances in every one of the niche industries your clients serve and also expect to run your practice and have anything resembling a personal and family life. The same, however, is true for your small business clients: They are probably pretty busy doing what they (hopefully) love and are (hopefully) good at. Which likely doesn’t include searching high and low for technology tools that can aid in their productivity and save them time that could be better put to use on other work issues or away from the office.

Fortunately, for both you and your clients, that’s where we can provide some assistance. We routinely do this through our reviews of programs “For Your Clients,” as well as in our columns and feature articles. But even then, we focus primarily on common vertical small business industries and tasks. There are many other technology tools on the market, however, that can also offer benefit to virtually any type of small business. They come in various forms and are intended for a wide range of functions, from printing and document management, to desktop gadgets, mobile tech devices, web-based systems for invoicing and collaboration portals, to name a few.

Hundreds of such products are out there, so this article’s purpose is to provide an overview of a few that are either fairly new to the market or that you just may not have encountered yet. Remember, whether for your client or your own practice, saving even just a few minutes per day can add up fast, allowing you to be more productive, or perhaps even bring a little more equity back to your work/life balance.

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Endicia Internet Postage
www.endicia.com

The tax and accounting profession might be making progress in the movement toward a paperless office, but business in general is nowhere near the same adoption rate. Likewise, while technology is bringing greater and greater online document sharing capabilities, there will likely be a need for mail and shipping long into the future. Whether a small business is a retailer or manufacturer needing to ship a product across the United States, a services company mailing invoices, or a legal firm overnighting signed contracts, the need is obvious, since you definitely can’t digitize a new pair of shoes or a handmade clock.

While businesses have long used postal meters to print postage in the office, there’s another alternative: Endicia’s web-based postage and shipping system, which lets users buy and print postage for letters and packages from one ounce up to 70 pounds. The company offers several service plans, including one with no monthly fee or commitment, which can accommodate businesses with less need for postage, or allow them to try out the system before signing up for a more comprehensive plan.

Endicia works on PCs and Macs, and unlike a cumbersome postal meter, lets users print USPS postage and shipping labels from their desk on DYMO and other label printers. It also includes a feature that verifies addresses and offers discounted delivery confirmation and insurance. Several reports further benefit the business, helping to better track and manage postal expenses, along with the ability to assign cost codes and send email notifications with any mail item.