For many entrepreneurs, having their own business is the fulfillment of a dream. The opportunity to earn better income as their own boss versus being someone else’s employee, to bring a unique idea to life, or simply to do a better job at providing a good or service than the current market does are among the many thoughts that excite people who start their own business.
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs spend too much time on the dreamy aspects of having their own business without also focusing on the necessary, but not-so-exciting work that has to be done. Regulatory compliance, reporting taxes, obtaining applicable licenses and certifications, and bookkeeping are the less inspirational aspects of running a business that cannot be overlooked.
What should also be included on the list, but often isn’t, is the process of buying supplies for the business. In 2015, where technology is practically everywhere, many supplies a business needs are of the electronic variety.
Printing Labels for Shipping, Compliance, or Branding
It may not seem true for some businesses, but every business should invest in a color label printer. If you make and/or sell tangible products, your business will need labels for boxes and other containers for packaging needs. For instance, if these products are hazardous materials, color labels may be required to identify substances for flammability and other dangers.
Colored labels are also useful for branding purposes, an important objective when it comes to being recognized by the market. This is something that any company can benefit from, whether it offers tangible goods, or only provides services. These can go on any correspondence with customers and prospects, not just boxes or containers.
Keeping Mobile Devices Running When out in the Field
For many people, the desktop or laptop PC has been replaced with a mobile device, like a tablet or smartphone. Few things are more frustrating than to have your go-to device run out of juice when looking up information or making a presentation to a client while away from the office.
Having some kind of portable charging device handy can save the day when your battery indicator is below 10 percent. These devices can be as simple as sticks that you plug a USB cable into on one end while plugging the other end into the device running out of power, or chargers that can also be used to hold a mobile device in position for better viewing.
Multi-Function Printer
While the vision of the so-called paperless office is coming closer to realizing its potential, there is still a need for document printers, scanners, photocopying, and even faxing. Since both office space and budgets are usually limited, a dedicated device for each one of these functions is not a feasible option.
Multi-function printers that incorporate all of these functions into one device have been a staple for entrepreneurs for years. They are well-suited for occasional use but become impractical for heavy duty use. One important fact to remember is that multi-function printers differ in the features they offer and are not one-size-fits-all devices. Customers should do some research to make sure the printer they want is a good fit for the tasks they perform.
Electronic Pens
As mentioned before, many people have opted to ditch their PCs for more lean mobile devices. While it is possible to attach a keyboard to a mobile device, many people find this bulky and impractical. Electronic pen devices and apps allow you to use your tablet like a pen and paper notepad setup when keyboards are not workable. You can take notes from any meeting or discussion and convert them to text later.
The term, ‘high-tech gadget’ suggests a device that is no more than a glorified toy that serves little to no useful business purpose. This is an unfair stereotype that ignores the many useful devices that allow entrepreneurs to be more productive and efficient. Without these devices, doing business in a fast-paced market would be much more tedious.
