Home: Message List

Re: Does Outsourcing Make Sense in this Economy?

dpeterson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:32:57 GMT

Sometimes I log into this forum and the topic I was just thinking about pops right up. Does outsourcing make sense... I would have to say for all of those routine tasks like call center payment processing, or tier one customer support, or even creating back links for SEO purposes then the answer is a resounding YES.

Several of my clients are on the receiving end of these out-sourced businesses. They are very skilled at their tasks yet they focus on the types of processes that when brought up to scale really reduces costs.

To me I can't see outsourcing creative work unless the technology gets better and you are "in the room" with the client. It won't be long until that happens but today it is still a bit difficult to get your creative point across via email. I'm sure a lot of people are doing it I just haven't come across a client that has tried to scale that type of operation.

Two of my outsourcing clients handle repetitive processes like these:

Call Center Payment Processing - http://www.atlantasalesandconsulting.com/BPO_call_center.htm
SEO Back Links - http://seolinkwheelers.com/

Since I do this all day, every day I would have to say that for my clients, and my client's customers that outsourcing companies should be looked at as just another professional, yet economical vendor.

David Peterson
http://www.atlantasalesandconsulting.com/

Re: Need help and advicve for a Startup restaurant.

asemerson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:03:54 GMT

One option is to find financing from a company or division of a bank
that specializes in restaurant loans. Keep in mind the differences
between financing your venture with investor capital versus with a
loan: your choice between the two depends on whether you'd rather deal with diluting
your ownership by getting a capital injection or the
additional risk of having to pay back a loan if your business fails.
The degree to which you are obliged to do the latter depends on your
business structure and practices, so in the end (as is the case with
many business decisions) you may want to consult a lawyer.

In regards to companies that specialize in restaurant loans, http://advancerestaurantfinance.com and
http://fastupfront.com seem to be the biggest players. I know Wells Fargo also has a division that specializes in restaurant loans (BOA likely does as well), but as mentioned before those companies may not be offering these loans at this time.

Re: How to maintain a good attitude

EFFORTS — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:51:26 GMT

thanks,are you here now?

Re: Poll: Do you give holiday gifts/favors to clients?

Iwrite — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:37:03 GMT

I normally do a gift basket of homemade baked goods. The baskets don't cost much but time, but we have never had any complaints. We even get requests for additional baskets but it is a holiday thing.

This year is going to be the first year we don't do the baskets, and I am bummed about it but it is a hard candy Christmas.

Do you have repetitive billing for your product.

MSIMarketing — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:34:44 GMT

We deal with alot of gyms and they have a monthly fee. Our certificates are great for offsetting that monthly cost. If you have a fee of $30 and your customer is getting $25 MasterCard back every month. To pay five dollars for your product is a great deal right? Especially the way our economy is today. Try offering a $300 grocery or gas certificate to offset your product and watch how your traffic for your business will almost double. The cost is very small compared to the persieved value that you are giving out. email me for details. jason@moneysavingincentives.com.

Re: How to maintain a good attitude

LUCKIEST — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:41:17 GMT

How to maintain a good attitude

Thanks for your post. Go to Members page and share some info.

Thanks

Re: how can a startup, grow, build capitol & meet debt service?

LUCKIEST — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:39:42 GMT

How can a startup, grow, build capitol??

Welcome Heath. Three suggestions. A good Accountant, A business Plan, and SCORE.
SCORE is FREE

Good luck, LUCKIEST

Re: HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR WEBSITE OR BLOG.

searchchief — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:08:42 GMT

Anyone know a good seo/sem company who would like to work on our site http://www.searchchief.co.uk

Re: Accounting Software required: London Taxi Company

mrmike110 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:10:55 GMT

Here is my main tracking software. Its not cheap, but not expensive. $199

http://quickbooks.intuit.com/

Also, if you want to go a little cheaper, heres another for $99.

http://www.myob-us.com/businessbasics/

My online advice when searching for accounting software is not to look at price. You want something that can do everything you want it to do, and still be user friendly. For instance lets say you spend $20 on accounting software, but do to its bad platform you wind up losing $5,000 over the year...its not worth it. Those two above are pretty easy to handle for a small business. Once you start moving up though, you may want to look into hiring a book-keeper/accountant.

Accounting Software required: London Taxi Company

cannon11 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:43 GMT

HI

We are a taxi company Hummingbird Cars in London. We provide Airport Transfer service from all london airports.

We are new in the business and we require to buy a good accounting software. Can anyone please advice which software will be suitable for us as we are a small business and also which one will be relaiable and affordable.

http://www.hummingbirdcars.com

Thank you