As we move towards a more technologically advanced world, our lives have become increasingly intertwined with the internet. Sometimes it seems as though we never really leave our computers because they are just so handy for everything ranging from our work, our education, and to our social lives.
Spending too much time online is often stigmatized as a negative. Humans by nature need outdoor activity and face to face interactions. But when it comes to saving money and time or running a successful business, can living life online really be a significant financial investment?
Online Education
The decision to complete an education online can be a major factor in allowing an entrepreneur to be successful. Benefits of an online education include the ability to complete classwork around a fluctuating schedule, not having to pay the expenses associated with living near campus, and the freedom to take classes from the best professors from anywhere in the world. For those looking to advance their careers to the next level, this can be monumental.
Arizona State University claims that over 56 percent of moms that are going back to school through their online portal do so for their careers. Entrepreneurs looking to improve their business skills should seriously consider taking a leaf out of their books. Through online education, these women have been able to balance a working life, school, and often time a family. Online education enables entrepreneurs to continue to work from anywhere in the world while still gaining knowledge from the best of the best.
Online Shopping
An online education is certainly not the only way to cut back on a number of expenses that crop up for entrepreneurs. The numerous small items that are necessary for business are also a major financial factor. Buying enough printer paper and office snacks can really add up. But purchasing many of these items in bulk can make a significant difference in your pocket book.
Bulk online orders save business owners a great deal on shipping costs, but also on having to drive to the local office supply store to find the necessary items. Simply cutting out these two things alone is a great deal of money and employee time saved. Bulk purchases can also be customized so the same objects are delivered automatically at a specific time during the month. You don’t have to worry about forgetting to order bathroom supplies for your small business ever again!
Online Work
Every day, almost 90 percent of people commute to work using a motor vehicle. The average trip is about 25 minutes or 11.8 miles in each direction. Much of this time could be better spent doing something other than sitting in a car. For most of the population, these trips only serve to build up stress and damage both physical and emotional health.
Choosing to work from home or to allow employees to work from home if possible, can ultimately be a major investment. By doing so, it is possible to save the time and money associated with a daily commute and office maintenance. If the communication barrier does not become too much, it can be a really phenomenal way to limit the financial obligations that bring down so many new small businesses.
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Life online is certainly not for everyone. But for a number of ambitious entrepreneurs, it can be a profound way to streamline the workflow and boost finances through cost savings. Limiting the number of major interruptions caused by having to leave the workspace is a huge factor in becoming successful. Educating yourself, making business purchases, and simply working online are significant ways to do just that.
About Carson Derrow
I totally agree that allocating time and financial resources toward your online effort is crucial to running almost any kind of business successfully today, and it is pretty clear that this is not going to change any time soon!