| It has been estimated that most people only use | | | | software programs you use. No, I'm not suggesting |
| about 10% of the features included in any given | | | | you read through every mindless user's guide. What I |
| software program. That's quite a shame not to | | | | am suggesting is that you take advantage of the |
| mention a tremendous waste of both time and | | | | free and paid tutorials online. Spending just an hour to |
| money. The good news is there is a "cure" for this | | | | go through a few of them every week can shed a |
| software ailment. | | | | lot of light on the software you already use and |
| What normally happens is a new piece of software is | | | | save you from potentially having to buy yet another |
| bought and installed. Then the user begins playing | | | | expensive program. |
| with the software until he/she figures out most of | | | | Another example is the contact management |
| what they want to know at that particular moment | | | | software called ACT! This software does track your |
| in time. And the rest of the features? They go | | | | business contacts, but it also does much more. It |
| uninvestigated and unused. | | | | performs as an address book. It includes an email |
| All of this results in a huge amount of wasted time | | | | program. It functions as a calendar/appointment log |
| and money... something no small office/home office | | | | complete with a reminder feature. So, rather than |
| needs. Many small business owners have even been | | | | buying a specialized email program and calendar |
| known to spend hundreds of dollars on a software | | | | appointment log, you can just buy ACT! and save |
| program that actually duplicates part or all of a | | | | about $300. |
| program they already own. | | | | By unlocking the hidden potential of the software |
| For instance, did you know that Microsoft Word can | | | | you already have - instead of buying new programs |
| be used as an email program? Did you know Word | | | | for each, individual feature you need - you can save |
| can also be used as a Web design program? How | | | | your small business thousands of dollars. |
| about a spreadsheet? Yes, it has some of those | | | | Before you purchase another piece of software, |
| abilities, too. | | | | take some time to use the "help" feature or to |
| For those small offices that don't do complicated | | | | browse through some online tutorials. Then make a |
| calculations or who only need limited HTML abilities, | | | | log of each program you already own and what it |
| buying Microsoft Word (at around $200) beats buying | | | | has the ability to do. You will likely discover that |
| Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Dreamweaver | | | | some of the software you already own is capable of |
| for over $800. | | | | handling the job. |
| What should you do? Simple! Learn more about the | | | | |