Ways to cut down on business expenses

I’ve been running an IT services business with three techs on board. Still looking for new ways to cut down on expenses and optimize the business. I’ll be glad to get pointers on how you guys handle this. Feel free to pour your hearts out over this one. Suggestions, ideas, anecdotes, whatever…

We make sure to check prices of new suppliers and always negotiate prices with our suppliers and subcontractors. Most of the time suppliers will want your business and will match if you quote a lower price from their competitors.

Also, check your phone bills and review your phone plan. There’s always a cheaper phone service you can transfer to, or even negotiate a new plan with your phone company.

You may cut down advertising costs by using word-of-mouth marketing techniques. Ask your clients what they like about the services you provide, and then ask them to refer you to someone they think could use these services.

If you stay alert and constantly monitor your expenses, you'll start seeing there are items on your budget you can save on immedietly and this is before you go looking for far out solutions.

SBS/Exchange and windows mobile smartphones for all onsite staff. They can update their appointments in the field (if they run longer or slower) and you can update their appointments in the office and have them appear pretty much instantly on their phones. Reduces phone calls, mistakes relaying jobs (Addresses, tasks, phone numbers etc). Apart from the cost of the phones its all close to free (assuming you have a MS Action Pack Subscription).