In order to select the best small business phone system for you organization you need to consider and evaluate several items.

What You Need

Spend a few minutes to determine what functionality your users require. You want the phone system to make them more efficient, walking the line between technology and confusion. Small business phone systems can offer video and audio conferencing tools, the ability to use a computer as a phone (sometimes called mobile soft phones), automated attendants, paging, intercom, wireless IP phones, integration with customer relationship management, and the ability to notify employees by phone, text, or email.

There are even options like presence technology, which would allow users of the business telephone system to see who is available, and the best way to reach them.

Change and Training

Whatever type of small business system you get, you need to understand how to use it. Typically the users of any new telephone system will use about 10% of its capability unless they are trained and encouraged to use its functions. Most will learn how to dial, put a call on hold, transfer a call, and maybe program a few speed dial numbers.

With consistent training and encouragement to learn the system, users will become more efficient and the small business system will be a true asset to your company. It can change the way you do business. For instance an IP system with a wireless phone will allow sales staff to check warehouse stock from anywhere on the premise.

You can hold meetings with clients, who are in different states, with the use of video conferencing. Or hold weekly training meetings with the voice conference feature. There are many features in the small business telephone systems that are typically seen in larger, more expensive systems.

Small Business Phone System Features

Telephone systems for small businesses will have caller ID with the capability of at least four business telephone lines. You can place calls on hold, transfer calls to a mobile phone, home office, or remote location. There may be additional or optional features such as:

• Paging
• Music on hold
• Cordless handsets
• Cordless headsets
• Automated Attendant
• Voice Mailboxes
• Audio/Video Conferencing
• And More

Selection of the Best Small Business Phone System

The systems listed below are some of the best small business phone systems. They cost between $500 and $3000. Most can be installed by simply plugging them in. All the systems listed offer complete mobility with wireless solutions for handsets and headsets. These phone systems also offer standard features that include call forwarding, transferring, intercom, conferencing, paging, voice mail, and music-on-hold.

The Panasonic KX-TG4500B can handle up to four business lines, a desk phone, and eight cordless extensions. Once the phone lines are installed you can just plug the main base or desk unit into the lines and an electrical outlet. The cordless bases can then be set wherever you want, plugged into an electrical outlet for charging.

The AT&T SynJ also offers four lines. You can mix and match a total of ten cordless handsets or desk phones. This small business phone system is recommended for retail outlets, restaurants, schools and daycares, small offices, locations with warehouses, and large home office applications.

The AT&T Synapse will provide up to thirty-nine business lines, with a capacity of hundred desk extensions and five cordless phones. The system self-configures once it is plugged into the phone lines and an Ethernet data network.

One of the largest of the best small business phone systems, the Panasonic KX-TDA50G or KX-NCP500 can be configures with as many as 128 lines. It will handle a total of 156 desk sets and 64 cordless sets. The systems are typically installed in law or medical offices, technology companies, and even for hotels or motels.

Summary

The best small business phone system is one that meets your company’s needs. It is important for any small business to figure out how the phone system can be used to allow staff to be more efficient in dealing with customers and clients. These small systems come in all sizes from just four lines through over a hundred. Some can be configured to work with Internet Protocol. Some small business phone systems also have voice mail, email, and paging capabilities. Check the list of what is standard on the phone system and what comes at an optional cost.

Probably the most important consideration to take into account when starting a small business is financing. If raising the capital you need to start your business will put your home or retirement savings in severe jeopardy, it may be worthwhile to hold off on starting your business until you’re able to find a source of collateral that won’t leave you in the street if things go south.

Loan rates are also an important factor to consider when getting financing for a new small business. If the interest rate on your loan is too high, you may want to wait until your credit improves, you can find a partner or until you can find an alternate source of financing to start your business.

Gauging the demand for your potential business is also important. If the local market for your business is already thoroughly saturated, or if the online niche for your products or services already appears to be filled and you’re unable to offer something different from the existing businesses, you may want to hold off on starting your business.

Compliance with zoning and other regulations is also a key factor to consider when starting a new business. If your new venture is on shaky legal ground concerning zoning laws, state health and safety regulations or other rules, you may want to delay starting a business until you can get a black and white determination of the legality of your venture.

Supply chains are important to businesses in that they determine whether the business will be able to meet its customers’ needs. If you can’t get the logistics of how you’ll get supplied with the materials you need for your business, you may want to wait on starting up until you can find a better solution or better location.

Your personal life also plays a role in whether you’ll be able to successfully start a new business. If you’re going through a divorce, it may not be the time to start a small business, as the legal proceedings could put the status of your investment in your new business in jeopardy. Also, significant health problems or substance abuse issues may need to be resolved before you can put your best foot forward in starting a new business.
Buying an existing business

If you’re considering buying an existing business and making it your own, there are a few red flags that might be worth heeding.

For example, if you’re stepping into the shoes of a partner who is departing a business, it’s worthwhile to look into the history of the partnership and the background of the other partner before buying. A history of contentiousness between partners or evidence of recklessness or negligence by the remaining partner may dissuade you from buying into a bad situation.

Finances are another key factor, if not the most important factor, to consider when buying in to another business. You should evaluate your finances carefully to see whether you have the money to fund renovations or changes that may be necessary and absorb losses in the transition period.

Also, while finding undervalued assets and turning them around is a common aim of many businessmen and women, it’s not always attainable. If you’re considering buying a business that’s had some public image problems or difficulties related to its facilities or logistics, you may want to think twice before making a potentially expensive plunge. Consider the problems of the business you’re acquiring and whether you have the skills, know-how and will to turn them around.

While entrepreneurs shouldn’t be discouraged from taking risks and starting new ventures, it is important to consider the risks of a new venture carefully and determine whether the likelihood of success adequately outweighs the risk of failure when starting a new business.

If you are unable to run a home business due to a zoning problem you may want to seek the help of a lawyer. A lawyer would be able to help you find the means necessary to open the business based upon many different sanctions that he may try to get revoked. One typical sanction is spot zoning in which one specific spot, in this example your home business, would be allowed to operate even though the zone is not designated for commercial use. This spot zoning is also useful to a detached business that would want to open in a restricted zoning area.

To open a detached business (a business that is not attached to your home and is not a home business) is a common problem that many people have. The first step that should be taken is to again check with the zoning committee to see if you are able to open a business there. If that is available, you must then look at the option of whether or not you want to buy or lease the building.

If you lease a building, you may be able to back out of the deal should you not be able to break even with the business. This should be stated clearly in your contract before you sign. You will also want to check out the conditions of renewing the lease. If you successfully start a small business in a building only to have your lease run out at the end of the year without the owner wanting to renew it, you will then have the task of transferring all of your materials as well as customers to a new location.

The lease will clearly state what is to be paid by whom. You will need to find out whether or not you will be required to pay any of the taxes on the building for the owner. The exact measurements should also be noted on the lease.

When you lease a building, you will be able to start up with less money to initially get the business started. You will also be able to have more liquid assets that you can pour back into the company without having to go through the red tape of having to take out more and more loans from the bank.

You will also want to have in the lease a non-compete clause. This will state that the landlord will not be able to rent space in or near your building to a competitor. It is hard enough as it is for you to attract customers without having to worry about your rival having a space directly next to you and able to watch all that happens within your store.

If you choose to buy a building in order to host your business, it will cost you more. The same guidelines as above are recommended for you to find out if you will be buying a building. You will also want to have the building checked by an appraiser to find out if you will be able to get a better deal than what is being offered to you. Do not be afraid to spend money so that you are able to save money by having the building sold to you at a cheaper price.

You may also want to check out foreclosed buildings. Many websites list foreclosed buildings that you will be able to buy for pennies on the dollar. You may also want to call your local banks to find out of they have any property available that has not been advertised to the general public. Many times you are able to get a deal before anyone else even knows that a place is able to be bought.

The location your building is in will determine the types of people who are able to see your business. If your business is inside of a large complex people may not be able to see you when they are looking from the outside. Large complexes usually will not allow you to advertise on the outside of their building except in rare instances. If your business is a casual or impulse sort, this may not be the best place for you to establish a customer base.

You will also want to take in the proximity a location has to a major intersection. You can obtain reports from the Department of Transportation and find out how often a road is being used. The more traffic a road has, the higher probability someone will notice your business.

Your business will also want to have available space so that you are able to have all of the materials that you need without being cramped. Conversely you will also not want to obtain a building that has far too much space than you need. The extra space will be wasted until you are able to find something to go there. Unless you plan to expand your business quick it is best to find a place that has just the right amount of space so that you are comfortable.

The location of your business is one of the most important things that you will choose so that people are able to be attracted towards your business. It is a situation in which you must weigh the pros and the cons of the situation carefully before you find yourself over your head.

Small business to start from home

Though starting and doing business is easy there are some types of businesses that are ideal for small scale business. The most popular ones are the ones that are done from home. This form of business is ideal for someone who is a housewife or even a student. It is also suitable for someone who has some spare time and wants to make it fruitful by earning some extra money from home. Starting a boutique to sell clothes is also good option because you can conduct this business at your own convenience and you can also make a lot of profit. If you are someone who is goof with baking then you could bake your cakes and cookies and sell them. There is a huge marketing for catering services and with a little help you will be amazed at the amount you will be able to earn each month. On a more international rostrum, ideas like garage sales, auctions of collectibles and antique items and even home improvement ideas make good money.

Small businesses for the creative ones

Creative people have nothing but success to meet with when they decide to turn entrepreneurs. If you are someone who is gifted with creativity then there are many options that are available for small businesses. From making paper bags to candle making there are many ideas for the creative ones. You can make the bags from recycled newspapers and sell them to make a huge profit. Also once you have learnt the art of making candles then the profits that can be made are limitless. There are many creative activities to consider. You could also make a lot of money with manga art, origami and packaged home made organic fertilizer. These are options that the modern home owner craves to flaunt. It all really depends on the extent to which to take your passion. Like in the real world, online too you require to show integrity and honesty in all your undertakings to gain a history and benefit from good referrals.

Business ideas for the outgoing ones

If you are someone who is willing to go out to do your small business then gardening is a good option. If one is good at gardening then opting to help others with gardens can be a good business opportunity. One could also start a coffee house at a vacant place that one owns. If you are a college student looking for jobs then there are many options. One can start a business of dropping people to their homes after a party especially if they are drunk. Another option is to help people wake up in the morning by getting paid for waking people from their sleep and helping them not get late. Apart from these unique there are also the usual ones of selling Lemonade and help by tutoring someone or even arranging parties. In short for someone who is on the look-out for business opportunities the options that are available are unimaginable.

There are a myriad of business options out there. All you need to do is tap on the right resource and identify a target audience. It helps to take advantage of the internet technology and make yourself and your services known around the world. Did you know that even as you blog you can earn! We,, today thousands of enthusiasts around the world are making a lot of money simply by reviewing products and guiding new buyers or by conducting surveys. One click and you are sorted. There is a large market online as well as offline. It takes dedication, passion and drive to survive competition and create a niche that is entirely yours. You need to sit down and ponder a bit though and put all your energies into an activity that you feel strongly about. You can make your vocation a vacation and right at home! The arena is rife with profitability, take the first step forward and lay your claim to success and fame!