In the beginning, Amazon Prime captured our attention with its famed two-day shipping. Today, Prime members have bulked up, adding music streaming, e-books, and original shows to their list of fan favorites. But would you believe this entertainment Juggernaut can also benefit your business? Check out these Prime perks you might have overlooked. STORE IT IN THE CLOUD All Amazon customers have access to 5GB of free storage with Amazon’s Cloud Drive. However, Prime members are allowed unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos. This is an incredible resource for storing all those stock photos and other work-related snapshots. Need an eye-catching visual for your latest blog or social media update? Prime Photos grants easy access to your entire picture library from anywhere! KEEP THE BREAK ROOM STOCKED Let Prime Pantry replace time-consuming trips to the grocery store. Get break room necessities delivered right to the office for a flat shipping rate of $5.99. Keep the cereal bar stocked with
office favorites, have extra peanut butter and jelly on hand in case someone forgets their lunch, and never run out of paper towels again. You won’t find certain perishable goods on Prime Pantry, but Amazon’s vast selection is sure to cross off most items on your shopping list. SAVE MORE WITH LIGHTNING DEALS Every day, Amazon is full of Lightning Deals — brief but amazing sales on high-ticket items. Amazon offers a limited quality on these sales, so they can disappear fast. Prime members get a 30-minute head start on Lightning Deals, which means you have a better shot at grabbing them before they’re gone. A smart business owner knows the value of small deals, and 20 percent off surge protectors or 72 percent off charging cables can add up fast. As you consider incorporating a Prime account into your business, keep in mind that Amazon does offer a membership geared toward companies called Amazon Business. This service comes with business-oriented offers including exclusive discounts, approval workflows, corporate credit, and perks for bulk orders. However, many businesses, managing finances is a full-time job, but it isn’t always treated as one. If you are starting to wonder if it’s time to delegate this task, that means bringing in help is probably long overdue. The biggest sign you are spending too much time looking at your numbers is when you find your company is not reaching growth or production goals. As one small-business owner, Kelly Barker, learned, focusing too much time on bookkeeping meant she sacrificed the success of her company, Prep Cosmetics, in key areas. Speaking to Inc.com, Barker imparted the following insight: “Whatever it is, find a way to outsource it, especially if it’s not a lot of cost. Because time is such a factor, and if it isn’t driving success, it’s not worth your time.” You might ask, “Isn’t hiring someone to help with finances costly?” Hiring a bookkeeper comes with its fair share of costs, whether you hire someone to work in-house or a freelancer. However, when your finances are in control and under the guidance of a financial pro, there is a good chance your hire will end up paying for themselves, and then some — as long as you clearly communicate your business’s financial goals.
There’s a reality among small-business owners and entrepreneurs. They want to do everything. Whether their business is brand-new or long established, small-business owners tend to struggle with delegation. This includes the financial side of the business. Another reality: There are times when you need to hand over the financial reins to someone else, someone who is more capable and has the expertise to ensure your business has the financial foundation it needs to move forward and, hopefully, prosper.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO CALL IN SOMEONE TO MANAGE YOUR BOOKS?
The answer won’t surprise you. It comes down to one primary factor: time. When you, as a business owner, are spending too much time on the finances, it’s time to call for help. When you want to grow your business, time is one of your most precious resources. You have to manage it wisely. For
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