As a start-up, you want to do all you can to preserve and stretch your limited financial resources. And that starts with checking your financial statements to analyse what siphons most of your money. It can be shocking how much you spend on operational costs. Operational costs tend to occupy a significant bulk of business expenses. And rightfully so because they are essential for the smooth running of any venture. They cover everything from maintenance, labour costs, employee insurance, amortization etc. Operational costs keep your business running. However, finding ways to manage the costs without paralyzing operations will tilt the scale significantly. And your profit earning potential will improve. You will maximize resources and increase the lifespan of your tech start-up. Here are some ideas on how to reduce operational costs for your tech start-up:
Reduce the costs of utilities
Utility bills tend to add up and can stifle the profit margins for your tech start-up. Consider switching to renewable energy options like solar power to cut your electricity bill. An added advantage of switching to solar power is that you will operate more environmentally conscious. Introducing renewable energy may require a considerable up-front cost, but the long-term benefits will be worth it. The cost savings from the switch will help your tech start-up stay afloat during difficult financial situations.
Leverage technology
Technology can be the best thing for your business efficiency. Manual operations take time and are not nearly as efficient. Automating your manual tasks will result in streamlining your business operations. Maximizing technology in your tech start-up means fewer employees and, therefore, fewer expenses. You will also save on other incidental costs of a big team. Understand which functions will benefit most from new gadgets. For instance, time-consuming tasks will benefit from proper technology that speeds things up and frees time for other critical responsibilities.
Outsource
Having an extensive in-house team can be costly. You will need to incur hefty costs in hiring, utilities, and employee benefits. Your tech start-up can avoid these operational costs by outsourcing some of its functions. Partnering with external agencies and consultants will save your business a lot of money that would have gone to organizing a dedicated team. The operational expenses will drop because the amount you pay for the third-party agencies does not compare to what you would have incurred with maintaining an in-house team. Furthermore, you will no longer need to use resources to train new staff. Consider outsourcing to an IT support you can trust to help with network and technical concerns. You could also outsource other functions like digital marketing, finance and accounting, and search engine optimization.
Be smart with your hiring process
The hiring process can quickly skyrocket your operating costs. Finding ways to optimize the process and get maximum benefits from it will be a lifesaver. You could opt to scout for applicants with multiple skills. That will be a huge plus since you can get away with onboarding fewer people. You could also settle for contractors in the place of full-time employees. Find experienced freelancers and interns to get the job done. The best thing with freelancers is that you can hire them on a need basis. You do not need to pay them when there is no work, and you can avoid having the overhead on your payroll.
Negotiate
Try, where possible, to negotiate for better rates when you can. Learning some negotiation skills will help you save some money. Leverage your loyalty to vendors you have worked with for a long time. They are more likely to be flexible since they need you to continue supporting their business for longer. Ask for volume discounts when you purchase items in bulk. Investigate the competitors’ prices and convince your vendor to lower their prices. Another excellent way to pay less would be convincing your vendor to give you a discount in exchange for a positive review or testimonial.
Embrace remote work
Having a physical location is no longer necessary for successful operations. More people are embracing remote working, which helps save on rent and utilities. Collaboration tools like Slack, Skype and Trello are making it easier and more effective. Also, remote operations do not require you to base your operations in an expensive metropolitan area. You can leave the hustle and bustle of city life for a more rural and affordable location.
Conclusion
When starting a tech start-up, there is constant pressure to go all in and put all your resources into ensuring your venture succeeds. However, failing to think about your budget can risk shortening the lifespan of your start-up. Finding ways to cut costs is essential in helping your business remain operational in the long term.
