Why Every Small Business Should Audit Their Telecom Bills

As a small business owner, you're always looking for ways to tighten the belt on expenses. But when was the last time you took a close look at your telecom bills? Auditing your telecom expenses can reveal hidden savings that you might be missing out on.

As a small business technology service provider in Vancouver, WA, I can tell you from experience: telecom bills are usually rife with errors. You’re being charged premium prices for legacy or discontinued products; you’re locked into termed contracts that rake you for cash; your paying excess taxes that you don’t need to; you’re paying for additional lines or circuits that are no longer in use; you’re paying rental charges on devices like modems and gateways; you’re being assessed fees for data use.

These bills have a technical component to them that cause the eyes of many to simply gloss over and pay whatever. That’s the problem. Telecom bills are rarely inspected; they’re just paid.

Here’s what to look for:

Unexpected Charges: It's easy to overlook small additions on your bill, but they can add up quickly. For example, did you know that as per a study, around 80% of telecom bills contain errors that are not in favor of the business? These could be anything from services you never subscribed to, to mystery fees tucked into the fine print.

Negotiating Better Deals: Armed with the knowledge of what you actually use and need, you can negotiate more effectively. Companies often offer promotions or discounts that are not automatically applied to your account. Regular audits can help you catch these opportunities. In fact, businesses can save an average of 25% on their telecom expenses after a thorough audit.

Avoiding Redundancy: Especially in small businesses, every dollar counts. Auditing your services can help you identify and eliminate redundant services or features that you're not using. For instance, if most of your team communicates via online platforms, do you still need that extensive landline package?

Staying Flexible: Technology and business needs evolve rapidly. What suited your business last year might not be the best fit this year. Regular audits ensure that your telecom services adapt with your business, preventing overspending on outdated services.

In essence, auditing your telecom bills isn't just about cutting costs—it's about smart financial management. By regularly checking your telecom expenses, you ensure that every penny you spend is actually boosting your business’s efficiency and bottom line.

Do you have questions about your bill? Reach out to me. I can help you decipher what you’re paying for and make some competitive recommendations to help lower your overall expenses.

Silence the Noise - How Small Businesses Can Stop Annoying Web Browser Notifications

As a small business, staying focused and productive is key to your success. But what about those persistent dings and pop-ups from your web browser? They can be more than just a minor annoyance; they can seriously disrupt your workflow. Here’s a simple guide on how to turn off those pesky notifications and get back to business.

Firstly, it’s essential to understand why managing these notifications matters. According to a study by the University of California, Irvine, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to the task at hand after an interruption. For a small team, this can add up to a significant amount of lost productivity.

Here’s how to take control of notifications in the most commonly used web browsers:

1. Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the upper right corner to open the menu. Go to 'Settings,' then 'Privacy and security,' and select 'Site Settings.' Here, you can adjust permissions by selecting 'Notifications' and manage preferences for all sites or specific ones.

2. Mozilla Firefox: Click the three bars in the upper right corner, then 'Options.' Go to 'Privacy & Security' and scroll down to 'Permissions.' Click on 'Settings' next to Notifications and adjust your preferences.

3. Safari: On the Safari menu, select 'Preferences,' then go to the 'Websites' tab. Here, you’ll find 'Notifications,' where you can decide which sites can send you notifications and which cannot.

Taking these steps not only reduces distractions but also protects your digital environment by limiting potential exposure to harmful content masquerading as notifications.

Implementing these changes can dramatically improve your team's concentration and efficiency, helping you keep your small business running smoothly and more securely.

How to Spot an Internet Scam — Tips for Small Businesses

The numbers are staggering: 60% of small companies have experienced a cyber attack, including phishing and social engineering scams. Recognizing these threats early can save your business money and your hard-earned reputation.

Think critically about what you receive via email or while browsing the Internet.

1. Too Good to Be True Offers: If an offer looks incredibly favorable without any apparent catch, it probably isn’t legitimate. Scammers often lure victims with promises of high rewards for minimal effort or investment.

2. Urgency Tactics: Scammers love urgency. They might say you must act fast to claim an offer or resolve a problem. Before you react, take a moment to assess the situation critically. Genuine businesses understand that decision-making takes time.

3. Unusual Payment Methods: Be wary if you’re asked to make payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These methods are difficult to trace and are favorites among fraudsters.

4. Suspicious Links and Attachments: Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These can lead to malicious sites that steal your personal information. Always verify the website's authenticity by checking its URL or directly navigating to the site through a search engine.

5. Grammar and Spelling Errors: Professional companies pride themselves on communication. If you receive an email with errors, it’s likely not from a legitimate source.

6. Call Now! If someone’s urging you to call a telephone number … don’t.

7. People Lie. Nobody from Microsoft is monitoring your computer. Microsoft doesn’t solicit end users to contact them across their computer, nor does the IRS. If you receive anything like this, somebody is lying to you. Stop falling for it.

By staying vigilant and educating your team on these signs, you can protect your business from the detrimental impacts of internet scams. Remember, when in doubt, it’s better to err on caution and verify everything before proceeding.