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Microsoft Word Templates Will Save You Time In Your Small Business!

One of the issues that most small business owners overlook when starting out in business is the use of technology. Whilst computer technology may require a significant investment when starting out; Overtime, if your systems are built correctly they will in fact save you very large sums of money, in particular in the area of staff wages.

When I first started my business, One-on-One Personal Computer Training, I started out with a $3,000 Credit Card, which when you talk to any business adviser or business-coach is absolutely the worst thing you could do. One of the issues I have been most conscious of is the cost of having a large number of staff. The way I achieved a high level of efficiency in such a competitive market was to automate as many of the day-to-day tasks as I could. The best tasks for business automation are those that are repetitive.

As soon as I mention the word Business Automation, most technophobes will put up a barrier and go into a minor or major fit. Business automation can be as simple as creating just a few Microsoft Word templates. Business automation doesn't necessarily mean hiring a huge plethora of software developers and toiling day and night to build some monsterous and complex system. It can and should be simple so that you as a business owner can in fact do it yourself. Let me explain!

Microsoft for all its good and bad issues, has provided business one of the most awesome tools - Microsoft Word allows you to build templates that you can reuse as many times as you wish.

What Is A Microsoft Word Template?

Essentially, a Microsoft Word Template is like any traditional word document, the difference is that it is designed to be reused as many times as you require. Why not create a normal word document then. Well, the difference is that when you use a Microsoft Word Template, you can store the template under the New dialogue box, so that each time you want to use the document you go to that one point and it will be available.

Did you know that you can even create your own folders in the New dialog box? If you didn't know this, all you have to do is to simply create a new folder where all your templates are stored. On each of our company's computers we have a special folder called one-on-one where we store each of our templates for use by our staff

What Sort Of Templates Might You Need?

This is one of the key questions I get asked the most. The most common templates I see small businesses require are items like Sick Leave Forms, Leave Applications, Order Forms, Sales Letters, Purchase Order Forms and so forth.

One of the reasons why I chose to build Microsoft Word Templates in my business was to ensure a level of continuity of contact with our customers. By building a series of Templates such as:

- A Company Letter Head

- A Company Fax Sheet

- A Company Leave Application

- A Company Thank You Letter

- A Company Weekly Timesheet

- A Company Sales Letter

- A Company Visitor Sign-in Sheet

- A Company Purchase Order Form

- A Company Order Form

By having these forms in a central place I have ensured that my staff don't need to be recreating these styles of documents each time they have to send a letter or fax. Further to this, I know that certain sales letters used by my staff will achieve the sales outcomes that I am looking for. By using a Microsoft Word Template, they know that when they get and enquiry that they can simply fill-in the customer details and the letter is done.

In our sales letter templates we use Microsoft Word's Fill-in field to prompt our staff for key information like the Customers Name, Address and Company Name ensuring that the information does get put into the letter. Once they have completed that they simply press the Print button and its ready to go to the customer. As a business owner, knowing that that's all my staff have to do to achieve the sales makes me feel far more comfortable than them having to write their own customised letters each time a customer enquires about our training.

Microsoft Word templates are an incredibly useful tool in automating common documents that your staff maybe creating and I believe that this is the first process that all business owners should be using in automating their business.

About The Author
Chris Le Roy This article was written by Chris Le Roy, Managing Director of One-on-One Personal Computer Training. Chris's company focuses on helping small to medium businesses develop automation tools using Microsoft Office, as well as providing Microsoft Office Specialist Accreditted Training Programs. If you would like to learn how to build your own templates, our company provides a number of training courses that cover using Microsoft Word in this way. Our website at http://www.1-on-1.biz also has Microsoft Word Training kits available that will help you learn how to use Microsoft Word. These training kits are designed as self-paced training kits.

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4 Reasons to Use Website Templates For Your Internet Business

Contrary to popular belief, website templates are very professionally designed templates by professional designers and others.

Many people have a belief that website templates are just "cookie cutter" templates that all look and feel the same. Well yes and no. Some website templates are the same template but in various colors.

However, some templates are as different as night is from day. Very unique in the design and feel of the website.

Here a 4 reasons why you should definitely consider using website templates when building your next internet business.

Reason #1 - Not all website templates are your so called "cookie cutter" templates. Most templates are unique and distinguishable from others designed even by the same designer. There are templates that are basics templates that only vary by color, theme, and web copy placement. This should not deter you because all templates are editable to fit your needs.

Reason #2 - Templates can save you money. If you are not a web designer but can type in a word document then web templates may just be your answer for you internet business or businesses. Templates give you a visual guide to what your website will look and feel like. Yes, there is feel to a website.

Reason #3 - Most basic HTML templates are easily edited in an HTML editor and by using a basic photo editing software program. This helps to keep cost low for the new internet business owner. Some computers have HTML editors like Microsoft FrontPage® included in a Microsoft package, which is a plus for the new web designer. If not, there are free HTML editors that can be downloaded to edit templates and a favorable HTML editor most designers like Adobe Dreamweaver®.

The website templates are already HTML coded with table placement, image placement, navigation, color schemes, header and footer, columns, and web copy placement. This gives the designer an indication of the flow of the web page and how others will see their web page.

Reason #4- Using a website template to create your website can speed up the process of getting your website on the internet quickly. If you are designing the website using a template, you have full control of the website and the timetable of completing the site and publishing the site. If you have a designer develop you site it may be weeks before your site is built and on the internet. It all boils down to "time is money".

Note: If you are using a designer, set a timetable for your site to be complete and ensure the timetable is adhered to by the designer. This is your business and your money.

Website templates are a great alternative for the new internet business owner who wants to save money and design their own website.

Pat Turman is a successful internet entrepreneur. She holds a BBA from an accredited University and numerous awards and certificates. Visit Niche Business 101 for more information on website design.

Small Business Can Save Big Money With Templates

In the business world, time is a valuable asset and A great way to start saving time in developing your business is to use ready-made templates. Templates can be used to quickly develop websites, ad campaigns, business cards and more. In most cases these templates can be purchased from large wholesalers online for penny's on the dollar. The quality and type of templates available will vary greatly, but below are descriptions of the most often used types of templates and those that can often save you the most money.

Website Design Templates:

A web design template is a pre-built website where the design work and coding has been completed, but the content still must be integrated into the pages. A simple web template may cost under $20 dollars, but a well-designed professional e-commerce website may cost upward of $200. These prices are based on high volume template warehouses. A custom developed template solely for your business alone may cost in the thousands. Webmasters, either novice or expert, can easily save thousands of dollars and hundreds of man hours by using website templates. In addition when purchasing your template from A professional website template reseller you will often be purchasing designs of a much higher quality than your are capable of creating on your own.

"I want an original design" - Often this is what people think when considering the purchase a website template. They feel that having a design that might be used by others is not a viable option for their business; however, most professional template distributors offer a "unique bid". This special price is offered to those who wish to purchase the design for their use only. If the special price is paid (which is often as much as 20X more than the normal purchase price) then the template will be removed from the sellers database and from any and all affiliate websites which might also sell their products. In this way you have purchased the design you wanted for much cheaper and faster than had you hired someone to develop a custom design.

Business Card and Logo Templates:


For most small agencies, using business card templates is a wonderful tool to easily make custom business cards. Templates usually come in two main categories. Program source files (Photoshop or Illustrator files ready to accept your personal information) and "online development programs " which allow you to choose images and layouts online and simply input your personal information through an interface on the seller's website. Either way works well and can often give you a high quality, professional looking business card in a matter of minutes. The design can then be used to purchase cards directly through the template seller's website or you can take the files to your local printer.

PowerPoint Templates:


The third most popular category of business templates are PowerPoint designs. These templates allow you to quickly put together a good looking presentation as fast as you can copy and paste your content into them. These are great for unexpected meetings and spontaneous presentations. You can make it look like you had all week to prepare when actually you threw it together on the plane.

Summary:


The real story behind using templates to start your business off right is the cost savings combined with the huge time savings. Together they allow small start up companies to have the same opportunities as the big boys who have designers on staff. I cannot think of a more accessible way to level the playing field so keep them in mind the next time someone quotes you a ridiculous price for design services. This author has built his own business on the backs of template designers I have never met.

Written by Gene Torrey
Lead developer for BGM design
To learn more about saving money with website design templates follow this link. Copyright ? 2005 Blue Gel Media This article may be reproduced if all content, links and byline remain intact.

Blue Gel Meida is a webmaster software and design resource center

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