We may already be a quarter of the way into 2010, but it isn’t too late to introduce new ideas to your business and see the benefits. Here are three to get you started…

1) Social Marketing

There was a time when using Facebook, Twitter etc was just an exercise in brand relations. Now, as companies get shrewder at monetising their social media streams, the opportunities to profit are endless. Dell has famously made more than $4million through Twitter alone, so what’s stopping you? It’s easy to integrate social networking options into your business, whether you’re selling computers, cars, online bingo or anything. Be aware, though, it shouldn’t just be a case of signing up and plugging your goods – the most successful accounts are those which interact with their target audience in a real, meaningful way.

2) Bonded ADSL

As the internet gets congested, businesses need to find new ways of ensuring that their web connection stays operating at full capacity – being hampered by a slow line is a major disadvantage in the current arena. The traditional way for companies, particularly those which deal with large amounts of data transfer on a daily basis, to safeguard their high-speed web access was to invest in a leased line from a provider such as BT. Now, though, there is a more cost-effective alternative starting to emerge. Bonded ADSL operates in a way similar to leased lines, but instead of offering one single connection to the internet, it bonds together multiple broadband lines. The main benefit to you is that bonded ADSL can be up to 50% cheaper than a leased line – great news for business that want to save money while maintaining high speed and performance internet connections.

3) Go Green

Want to cut costs while doing your bit to save the planet as well? An increasing number of businesses are choosing to adopt environmentally friendly practices as part of their everyday operation. The first thing you should look at is printing. With ink and paper seemingly more expensive than ever, now is a great time to ask: do we really need to print that? You can save significant amounts of money by cutting your print usage. Other strategies you might want to look at include organising a car pooling scheme – lowering petrol costs for your employees – or introducing a business-wide green best practice policy.

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