Business Diet Tip #1: Digital Phones

One of my goals for this summer is to see how much "fat" I can trim from my business operating expenses. Okay I also plan to trim some fat from my hips but that is the same old song I've been singing for years.

I'm hoping that you will share some of the innovative ways you are cutting business costs -- I'd love for you to share them -- my goal is to create a list of ideas that people can use to reduce costs during a time when expenses are out of hand.

My business expense diet is new.This will be the first time --in a long time-- that I am actually going through my expenses--line by line--and looking where I can save money. While I don't have an actual goal. I would be delighted if I could save several hundred dollars a month.

The first thing to go was my landline phone.

While my phone service was never a huge expenditure--about $85 a month--for the next six months I'll be paying a delightful $29.99( that's an introduction price which will go up $10).

It's a decision I've been delaying for months. Even though I knew I could save money by switching my phone service to Comcast,it was something I was reluctant to do.

Having a landline was my Fiddler On The Roof Moment. Giving it up just feels like I'm saying good bye to a tradition.

In the old days, before my mobile phone was always within arms reach, it was reassuring to have a landline just in case an electrical storm knocked out service. At least you could call people and let them know you were okay. But downed wires won't impact my cell phone. So that isn't a good reason to stay hard wired.

Even if the power does go out I can still get online and send emails  thanks to my Verizon Broadband Modem--which I use on business trips.

No my reluctance to go digital was purely sentimental. And that is not a good business reason.

So I made the switch. There are a couple of features I really really like. And one I am disappointed they don't offer.
First to my disappointment -- you can't forward your phones so they will go immediately into voicemail. Instead, you have to let it ring at least twice.  I will adjust. The people who call me will adjust. But, if Comcast is looking at some feature enhancements, "straight to voicemail" would be something I really want.

Now to the good stuff. On my old system, the only way I knew if I had a voicemail is if I physically picked up the phone and heard the voicemail tone. Did I mention I wasn't good about picking up my phone and checking voicemail? Now I don't have remember --Comcast will send me a reminder. I love this feature.

I can also forward the phone from the computer and adjust how many rings before it hops into voicemail. Did I mention I would really like to have an option that says "immediate?"

So what made me switch now? In large part Word-Of-Mouth Advertising. My colleague Dan made the switch and he is really happy with the service and the quality of the calls. That's all it took. Dan's word. If Dan says its a good thing and it could save $40-$50 a month, then I'm in.

If you've just discovered a great way to save on business expenses, I want to hear from you !

Comments

[Murray Abramovitch]

Depending on your inclination, it is either God or the devil who is hiding out in the details. But the small things do make a difference, especially when you are cost-cutting.

The context was different, as was the scale, but in my former position as V.P. marketing in a large company, I found that zero base budgeting was a good starting point. What exactly do you really need to operate your department, your business, even your household? I always saw everything over and above that as an investment rather than an expense. The over and above represented opportunity. To grow the business or expand my knowledge or enhance mobility or improve lifestyle.

I know zero base budgeting was a fad in the 80s. And I imagine accountants love the concept. Don’t let those disturbing thoughts put you off. After all, the conclusions you drew on your phone requirements pretty much came out of a zero base budgeting mindset.