Controlling costs in a slowing economy is a simple way to improve a company’s bottom line. One of the best areas to start is with your IT and communications:

1. Adopt flexible working practices: Cut the need to travel - and therefore save against rising fuel costs - by moving to conference calls rather than face to face meetings. Flexible working can help you to manage your workforce more efficiently, reduce costs, improve morale and keep hold of your most important asset – your employees

2. Make calls online: Make calls over the internet using VoIP and mobile VoIP services to save money on line rental and call charges

3. Subscribe to on-line support: Remote IT support removes the need for full-time on-site IT staff

4. Market your business aggressively: Join an online community (like BT Tradespace) to enable you to network – and trade - with like-minded businesses – all for free!

5. Conserve capital and switch to subscription solutions: Software-as-a-service (SaaS) software applications provide the latest software when you need it without an upfront license fee

6. Get your hands on 0% credit: The credit crunch might be restricting your access to finance but BT Business offers 0% credit on telecoms and IT solutions to help your business be more effective and reach more customers

7. Stay ahead of the pack: A slowing economy means it’s more important than ever to remain competitive – combine your lines, calls and mobiles, for example through BT Business One Plan

8. Consolidate to control costs: 62% of UK businesses have more than four suppliers for telecoms and IT alone. Unified communications packages allow you to integrate applications on a single platform or device – helping you to cut costs.

9. Analyse your communications spend: Understand in detail how your business incurs its telephone charges - whether fixed or mobile - to cut costs. BT Billing Analyst can help you understand your call itemisation, manage resources and spot call trends

10. Use free-to-use and free-to-trial services: There are a multitude of free services out there to help your business, for example BT Business will conduct a free IT review of your business and provide you with a three year growth plan, and BT Business Insight offers businesses a wealth of free advice and support.