• Business and Finance
• Family
• Computers and Internet
• Auto and Trucks
• Education
• Health
• Hobbies
• Home Improvement
• Legal
• Marketing

• Home
• Arthur's Articles Home
• Browse Categories
• Browse Authors
• Submit an Article
• Search for Articles

Home » Computers And Internet Articles » Microsoft Word Templates Will Save You Time In Your Small Business

Microsoft Word Templates Will Save You Time In Your Small Business!

One of the issues that most small business owners overlook when starting out in business is the use of technology. Whilst computer technology may require a significant investment when starting out; Overtime, if your systems are built correctly they will in fact save you very large sums of money, in particular in the area of staff wages.

When I first started my business, One-on-One Personal Computer Training, I started out with a $3,000 Credit Card, which when you talk to any business adviser or business-coach is absolutely the worst thing you could do. One of the issues I have been most conscious of is the cost of having a large number of staff. The way I achieved a high level of efficiency in such a competitive market was to automate as many of the day-to-day tasks as I could. The best tasks for business automation are those that are repetitive.

As soon as I mention the word Business Automation, most technophobes will put up a barrier and go into a minor or major fit. Business automation can be as simple as creating just a few Microsoft Word templates. Business automation doesn't necessarily mean hiring a huge plethora of software developers and toiling day and night to build some monsterous and complex system. It can and should be simple so that you as a business owner can in fact do it yourself. Let me explain!

Microsoft for all its good and bad issues, has provided business one of the most awesome tools - Microsoft Word allows you to build templates that you can reuse as many times as you wish.

What Is A Microsoft Word Template?

Essentially, a Microsoft Word Template is like any traditional word document, the difference is that it is designed to be reused as many times as you require. Why not create a normal word document then. Well, the difference is that when you use a Microsoft Word Template, you can store the template under the New dialogue box, so that each time you want to use the document you go to that one point and it will be available.

Did you know that you can even create your own folders in the New dialog box? If you didn't know this, all you have to do is to simply create a new folder where all your templates are stored. On each of our company's computers we have a special folder called one-on-one where we store each of our templates for use by our staff

What Sort Of Templates Might You Need?

This is one of the key questions I get asked the most. The most common templates I see small businesses require are items like Sick Leave Forms, Leave Applications, Order Forms, Sales Letters, Purchase Order Forms and so forth.

One of the reasons why I chose to build Microsoft Word Templates in my business was to ensure a level of continuity of contact with our customers. By building a series of Templates such as:

- A Company Letter Head
- A Company Fax Sheet
- A Company Leave Application
- A Company Thank You Letter
- A Company Weekly Timesheet
- A Company Sales Letter
- A Company Visitor Sign-in Sheet
- A Company Purchase Order Form
- A Company Order Form

By having these forms in a central place I have ensured that my staff don't need to be recreating these styles of documents each time they have to send a letter or fax. Further to this, I know that certain sales letters used by my staff will achieve the sales outcomes that I am looking for. By using a Microsoft Word Template, they know that when they get and enquiry that they can simply fill-in the customer details and the letter is done.

In our sales letter templates we use Microsoft Word's Fill-in field to prompt our staff for key information like the Customers Name, Address and Company Name ensuring that the information does get put into the letter. Once they have completed that they simply press the Print button and its ready to go to the customer. As a business owner, knowing that that's all my staff have to do to achieve the sales makes me feel far more comfortable than them having to write their own customised letters each time a customer enquires about our training.

Microsoft Word templates are an incredibly useful tool in automating common documents that your staff maybe creating and I believe that this is the first process that all business owners should be using in automating their business.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Top Ten Suggestions for Selecting a Real Estate Agent

In order to find a real estate broker or agent who meets your needs and makes your buying or selling experience a positive one, Century 21 Real Estate Corporation recommends you:

1. DO NOT blindly walk into or call a neighborhood firm and ask for an agent at random.
2. Ask friends and family for recommendations.
3. Interview several real estate agents:
   • Find out their history with the brokerage, their experience and background.
   • Gauge their knowledge of your favorite towns.
   • Ask for a list of previous clients and their phone numbers.
4. Pay attention to whether a potential agent is listening closely to what you say.
   • Is he or she asking follow-up questions which prompt further explanation and help him or her understand exactly your needs and wants?
5. Give a potential agent the opportunity to educate you.
   • A good agent should walk a customer through the buying or selling process before ever showing properties or discussing a specific transaction.
6. Have a good idea of what you expect from an agent and communicate those expectations.
   • How often do you want to hear from your agent?
   • Do you want to hold meetings at your house rather than the real estate office?
7. Weigh the benefits of working with an experienced agent versus a novice.
   • An experienced agent may have more insight, but a new agent may have innovative ideas or more energy and time.
8. Find an agent who complements your personality.
   • If you like to start your day at 7:00 a.m., don't choose an agent who arrives to the office at 10:00 a.m.
   • If your preferred method of communication is e-mail, don't choose an agent whose most advanced technology is a fax machine.
9. Evaluate the agent's firm and/or office.
   • Look for a real estate organization whose agents can empower you with real estate expertise and resources and provide first-rate customer service.
10. Look for an agent who will be your partner.
    • Find someone you trust, who will give you the facts, help you make intelligent, well-informed decisions and work with you throughout the entire process.