Make the smart business move: You need to make sure your business can compete in this new AI world. Take a free test drive of Oracle’sAI tech right now, before it’s too late.
5 hidden fees costing your small business money
Starting your own business can be exciting, but it often comes with a rocky road ahead. Those rocks will cut into your wallet through several expenses. Miscalculating the daily costs of running a company can hurt you in the long run.
Although some fees are hard to miss, others can slip through the cracks. Those can cost you a ton of cash over time. Here are five hidden fees that may have slipped past your radar.
1. Too many accounts for the same program
Let’s say you need to use an expensive program that charges per user. If you have five login accounts but only three people need them, you’re paying for two subscriptions you don’t use. Take stock of the resources you pay for and analyze how many workers use them.
Maybe you’re paying for a team to use expensive accounting software, for example. But if only one person uses it, you should demote your subscription to a single-person plan.
This is an easy mistake, especially when you have a high turnover. One employee may have set up a paid account before leaving the company. Since they’re gone, you should delete their accounts. There’s no sense in paying for an account that’s no longer in use.
2. Using an expensive subscription when a cheaper one will do
It’s tempting to pay for the highest tier. Maybe you found cutting-edge accounting software with a ton of features. Unless you’re using all of those features, you’re probably paying for more than you need.
You can save money by ensuring you aren’t automatically signing up for a top-of-the-line subscription when you’d be fine down a tier or two. Sometimes, the cheapest subscription will serve all your needs — and put extra money in your pocket.
3. Tricky phone bills
Unexpected fees can pop up, making your phone bill hard to comprehend. There are many parts to understand, from calling plans and services to taxes, surcharges and miscellaneous fees.
That’s why we recommend auditing your phone service. It’s common for business leaders to buy phone service and cross it off their mental list forever. That’s not a good idea, though — the market changes, prices go up and you can overpay if you don’t check in now and then.
Small-biz tip: Don't overlook this digital danger
Are you the type of business owner who forgets about ex-employees as soon as they’re gone? Failing to remove former employees’ access to your systems and data could lead to security breaches. Don’t let poor offboarding practices be the weak link in your cybersecurity chain.
AI will watch everything you do
Are you behaving badly? Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison predicts that AI will soon keep you in line. In other news: MoviePass fraud exposed, Snapchat uses your face for ads, and the story behind the viral ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl.
Free AI test drive: Nothing has changed our lives quite like AI has — and will. That’s why you need to start using AI in your business before it’s too late. Take a free test drive of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure now at Oracle.com/kim. No one does data better than Oracle.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, worth $170 billion and change, owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. On the island, was he upset because … A.) He couldn’t get dinner reservations, B.) Ticketed for running a stop sign or C.) Stranded because there wasn’t enough gas for his jet?
Sick of QuickBooks? There’s a better way!
Stop fighting with spreadsheets and trying to figure out what the heck you did with last year’s inventory list. I have the solution — my sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle.
You get visibility and control of your financials, inventory, HR, planning, budgeting, and more — all from one easy dashboard. Don’t just take my word for it — over 37,000 businesses already use NetSuite.
Streamline workflow with these automation tips
Are you sick of wasting time on repetitive tasks? You don’t have to go it alone. Automation can streamline lead generators, customer service and other business needs. We’ll show you how in our step-by-step guide to small business automation.
Free online financial calculators to get debt under control, plan for retirement and see your net worth
If you need help managing your money, you’ve come to the right place. We have tons of financial tips for investors and small business owners. Case in point: Here are 10 free spreadsheet templates to help you get a handle on your money.
Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'
If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.
Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks
You can’t keep track of everything on paper. Excel can play a significant role in your daily workload. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro user, there’s much to learn — like these five useful Excel tricks.
Want to become an Excel expert? It’s a good strategy for small business owners who want to grow this year. After all, you’ll generate tons of data. Speaking of which, here’s how to stop third parties from selling your data.
5 free resources to grow your business
Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.
Why '1984' is no longer just a tech cliché
Think ‘Big Brother’ references are overused? Not when Oracle founder Larry Ellison starts talking about global surveillance through AI-powered cameras. Here’s the story.
Free AI test drive: Nothing has changed our lives quite like AI has — and will. That’s why you need to start using AI in your business before it’s too late. Take a free test drive of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure now at Oracle.com/kim. No one does data better than Oracle.
Small business owners, it’s time to upgrade
If your company is growing, you may need more than just Microsoft Excel to keep track of everything. You need high-quality finance software that gives you the complete picture. With our sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle, you can:
AI is taking over: You need to make sure your business can compete. Take a free test drive of Oracle’s AI tech right now, before it’s too late. I like learning from the best, and I bet you do, too!
Who will buy TikTok? The Communist China app will be banned in the U.S. unless an American company buys it. I would if I could, with 170 million Americans hooked on the app. Dang. Who’s in the running? Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Rumble, Kevin O’Leary and former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. Microsoft and Oracle supposedly said no in the past. I’m surprised Elon Musk isn’t on this list.
AI in your business: If you’re trying to figure out how to use AI in your business, take a free test drive at Oracle.com/Kim. Oracle has the GPUs, processing power and expertise you need. Def worth checking out!
AI is here to stay: If you run a business and need help getting your AI capabilities off the ground, head to oracle.com/kim. They shell out for the best gear in the biz, like NVIDIA GPUs, so you don’t have to. Take a free test drive!
3 secrets to building a successful business
Chasing your passions can be scary because it comes with many risks. When I was 25, I left behind a job that paid $150,000 a year so I could help people understand media and technology. Since then, I’ve flourished — and I’d like to teach you three essential tips for starting a business.