The world of business often seems like an impenetrable fortress, but today, anyone with a big idea can start their own enterprise, even if they don’t have the capital or connections to match. While some of these businesses will flounder, there are tools you can take advantage of to maximize your limited resources. Technology can help you elevate your business to the next level.
Even seasoned business owners stand to benefit from investing in new technology. You can streamline existing processes and make your business more nimble and responsive to market changes. The benefits of digital transformation outweigh any growing pains you might experience. Once the new systems are in place, you’ll find that everything is faster, easier, and often cheaper.
However, many small business owners feel paralyzed by the options available on the market. If you’re not well-versed in business technology, you might feel hesitant to push through with the transition. But if you take the time to learn the basics, you can make the digital transition and ServiceNow implementation process easier. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you become a more tech-savvy business owner.
1. You get what you pay for
Digital technology isn’t an optional upgrade you can safely ignore. I’m sure all your competitors are investing in digital upgrades, and you risk falling behind if you don’t make the jump soon. Everything today is interconnected, and consumers expect more from businesses. Without digital technology, customer satisfaction suffers, your employees won’t be as efficient, and your business risks becoming stagnant.
You might feel the pain of sticker shock initially, but you end up losing more in the long run if you fail to invest in business technology. I’m not saying that you need to take out a loan to pay for the cost of upgrades. You’d be surprised what you can do with a basic computer and a few programs. There are lots of cheap tools and programs available, so take some time to experiment with a few and see what works for you.
2. Take advantage of data
Data is a compelling resource, and business owners today rely on analytics to make better decisions. Make sure to use the data available to you to check how your business is doing. It allows you to glean better insight into your operations. If you’re wondering whether your customers like your new website or if you’re reaching your target audience, your data should be able to give you the answers.
3. Don’t forget about mobile users
In the olden days, business owners had some leeway when responding to customer inquiries and complaints. These days, customers are more finicky and expect instant responses, even if it’s late at night. Mobile optimization goes both ways, and you need to manage your social media accounts and manage your staff wherever you are. Otherwise, you could miss out on a lot of opportunities.
You also need to accommodate mobile-only customers. For starters, your website has to be optimized for mobile screens. You should also build your online presence so that anyone can search for your business on-the-go. It might be smart to have a dedicated customer service team so you can focus on the big-picture stuff.
4. Consider cloud technology
You’ll find that most of your technology spend won’t come from licensing or hardware costs but data storage. An onsite server can be a massive resource sink, especially if you store and handle a lot of data. That’s why more and more businesses are switching to the cloud to reduce tech overhead. For instance, old POS systems often required onsite databases to store business data. Cloud-based software eliminates the need for a physical server and allows you to access your data whenever you need it.
POS systems aren’t the only business tool you can shift to the cloud. You can also pay for an online drive to keep important documents stored in a secure file storage system. Some accounting software can also integrate with your cloud-based POS to streamline data transfer and minimize errors.
A final word
These four digital transformation tips will help you turn your small business into a faster and nimbler unit. Whether you run a retail store or a service-based firm, you need to invest in digital technology if you want your business to succeed.
Small upgrades to your business can lead to dramatic transformations down the line. You can enjoy faster and easier communication with your customers and employees. Make sure to read up on the options available to you. You might be surprised by what you find out.
