Running a small business isn’t just about the products you create or the services you provide, it’s how you manage things in the back end. Gone are the days when everything was done on paper or an excel spreadsheet. Now, with the world becoming more and more reliant on technology, we have to find ways to adapt and alter how we do business.
Every business’s needs are going to be different based on the business, budget restraints and those using the tools. If you’re a cleaner, how do you decide to best keep track of your customers? If you’re a décor shop, what do you use to manage your inventory? So. Many. Options.
To help you start to think about tools that you can use for your business, I have compiled a list of my favourite tools and what we use them for, here at Simple Desk!
I’m sure you’ve heard me toot Canva’s horn before, but this program is amazing. What I like about it, is that you need no previous design experience. It combines features from some of the more pricey and difficult to learn design programs like the Adobe Creative Suite. As they are always improving their program, you can do something as simple as creating your own logo, do an Instagram post or a Facebook cover photo. Take it to the next level and you can alter your images with a background remover, send your content to MailChimp or Google Drive, or utilize their brand new Content Calendar. Create your design and schedule it right in Canva. Best of all, it has a free and paid version.
Speaking of content, how you manage it is very important. There are many programs out there to help you schedule and post it, but finding the right one to do what you need is imperative. Like any other tool, if you don’t use it correctly, it will only hurt you in the end. We love Creator Studio because we can:
- Manage and filter uploads from any Page in the content library
- Get insights on your content and audience
- Upload multiple videos at the same time
If you happen to manage multiple accounts (say you’re a social media manager), this tool will allow you to manage all of your content from all of your pages in one interface. It also provides you insight on all of your posts so you can see what’s gaining traction and what isn’t. As an added bonus you can also publish directly to Instagram and IGTV.
This web-based service allows me to track the hours of our staff so that when it comes time to invoice our clients, I can provide an accurate invoice based on an employee’s time. It’s so incredibly simple to use and easy to set up, that even a novice business owner or freelancer can set up an account. With it being available on any device (smartphone, tablet or computer), you can access it any time, anywhere.
This accounting software package has been developed and marketed by Intuit. QuickBooks products are geared mainly toward small and medium-sized businesses and offer on-premises accounting applications as well as cloud-based versions that accept business payments, manage and pay bills, and payroll functions. As a small business myself, it suits my needs effectively. Again, with its cloud-based software, I can access it anywhere. Should I want to spend a day working from my living room or my favourite café, I can still access it. That way, everyone gets paid!
These are just a few of my favourite tools. From design to time management to financial management, we are able to effectively help other small businesses where they need assistance. If you’re wondering how Simple Desk can help your small business, send me an email and we can discuss your needs!
Stay tuned for information on our Open House! We have moved to 80 Division Street, Trenton and we will be welcoming everyone for a tour of the office (in small groups of course). We’ll have gifts and prizes from other local small businesses. Be sure to sign up for our email list for more updates!