Checklist voor zelfstandig ondernemer

Check

Wanneer je voor jezelf bent begonnen of gaat beginnen, moet je zeker veel dingen doen. Deze checklist helpt je te controleren dat je je zaken op orde hebt voordat je zaken gaat doen.

1. Eigenschappen

Alle gewenste eigenschappen die je nodig hebt om als zelfstandige te kunnen slagen:

Gevoel voor humor Oog voor detail Organisatietalent Vermogen om verschillende dingen tegelijk te doen Bereidheid compromissen te sluiten Flexibiliteit Initiatiefrijke persoonlijkheid Vastberadenheid Wens om hoe dan ook te slagen Gevoel voor humor (een dubbel gevoel voor humor!) 2. Apparatuur

Alle kantoormeubels en elektronische apparatuur die je nodig hebt om je werk te kunnen doen:

Computer (notebook of desktop) en een betrouwbare internetverbinding Softwarepakketten voor je

Free open source CRM and web-based CRM

OpenSource

Each business knows how important to manage your sales leads using Customer Relationship Management (CRM). There are so many CRM software systems to choose from but if you own a small business or if you are self-employed, it is an excellent idea to use free open source CRM or web based solutions.

Free CRM software systems allow you to automate your lead list, sales pipeline and even your inventory. These are a list of websites that offer free open source CRM and web-based CRM solutions:

FreeCRM

Is a popular free web-based CRM system that allows you to cover all of your needs for sales lead management. This system is a web-based and therefore you

Open source boekhouding software’s

OpenSource

Iedereen die een eigen onderneming heeft, weet dat een goede financiële administratie noodzakelijk is om inzicht in zakelijke mogelijkheden te hebben. Helaas zijn boekhoudprogramma’s vaak ingewikkeld en heel duur in zowel aanschaf als onderhoud. Gelukkig zijn er open source boekhoudprogramma’s die gratis en gebruiksvriendelijk te gebruiken zijn.

Deze volgende open source boekhoudprogramma’s zijn bedoeld voor zelfstandigen en kleine ondernemingen die met een minimum of geen boekhoudkundige voorkennis, eigen professionele boekhouding willen hebben.

osFinancials

Is een uitgebreid open source boekhoudpakket en is gratis te downloaden en te gebruiken. osFinancials is gebruiksvriendelijk en stabiel zoals je van goede boekhouding software mag verwachten.

osFinancials heeft de volgende kenmerken:

Oneindig aantal administraties mogelijk Ondersteuning voor maximaal 9999 grootboekrekeningen, 999 sub-grootboekrekeningen en 10 bankrekeningen

Why should a business website have a blog?

Blog

There have been a lot of discussions about whether a business website should or should not have a blog. Those who believe that a business website should not have a blog often use one simple argument: “I don’t have time to blog” I truely believe that blogging should be considered as one of your social media marketing instruments. For obvious reasons, social media marketing is a MUST and therefore, you should make time for blogging. These are some other reasons why a business website should have a blog:

1. The new e-mail newsletters

You probably already write your newsletter at least once a month. Just consider blog articles as newletter articles because blogs

Twitter etiquette for small business

Twitter

I have heard a lot from my fellow independents and other (small) business owners that they have no idea where to start with Twitter. “I just don’t know if or how to use Twitter for my business” has become a very familiar phrase.

Twitter has become a MUST HAVE when it comes to business nowadays but only having a Twitter account is simply not enough. Twitter should be considered as one of your social media marketing instruments. There are some Do & Don’t and etiquette that you should know and learn.

1. Separate your professional and private Twitter account

If you have been using Twitter privately – to keep in touch with your friends

Free online invoicing tools

OpenSource

If you have a small (home) business or do freelance work, you’ll have to find a convenient way to send invoices to your clients. Of course, you can keep track of all customer information in a spreadsheet, but you can also use free online invoicing tools.

These are companies that offer free and unlimited online invoicing tools that do not put restrictions on the number of clients you can manage and the number of invoices you can send each month.

Billing Boss

Is a free online invoicing tool that does NOT have a paid commercial upgrade.In fact, Billing Boss is absolutely free. Prepare to be surprised by how complete Billing Boss free features

How to choose a web host

Web Hosting

If you want to start a website and/or blog, it is better to go with your own web hosting because you would be in total control of your website/blog. But before you choose a web host, always keep in mind to review the web hosting company that meets all of your requirements and needs.

The question is: How to choose a web host? Keep in mind that a web host must meet your requirements. These are some important requirements that you should look for in a web host:

1. Know What You Want

Figure out what you want in a web host first. Do you want to have a prive website/blog or do you

Why should your business have a website?

WebDesign

A lot of small businesses are convinced that a word-of-mounth advertising is the best way to do their marketing. They are right, but why should you restrict your possibilities to this off-line marketing strategy when you can do so much more online for your business?

Nowadays business strategy is that you have to be visible online! These are some reasons why you business should have a website:

1. Marketing

No doubt that a web presence is a great way to compliment your existing marketing plan. You can use your site to inform both of your existing and potential customers about your business’s services and it makes word-of-mouth advertising a lot easier.

2. Customers expect