5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Business with Technology Efficiency
By Steve Cody
The landscape business is thriving. With such tremendous growth, it is vital business owners do everything in their power to remain relevant. A key part of staying ahead in a highly competitive industry is taking advantage of all the cutting-edge technology available to streamline business operations and ensure first-class customer service. In the world of ever-evolving technology, here are five tips and key elements technology businesses can incorporate to simplify operations and increase overall efficiency.
1. Increase computer efficiency
One of the best ways to speed up computers and technology is to clear room on the hard drive. Rather than investing in expensive external hard drives, take advantage of Cloud technology to cut costs and speed up devices. The Cloud allows business owners to manage stored data from anywhere, anytime, on any device. By storing data and business information on a Cloud-based service, a business benefits from extended access to content, inventory, data, etc. This allows all employees access to information they need, and creates a more efficient work environment.
2. Utilize technology to organize data
Keeping customer data and other business information organized and in one place is crucial to effectively track interactions, trends, purchase history, etc. The simplest way to do this as a business is to utilize a data warehouse, CRM software, and Cloud service to provide all employees access to the data. A data warehouse is a large storage of data collected from a variety of places within a business. That data can then be leveraged to help make business management decisions. It is important to use a data warehouse because the warehouse collects data from the database(s) and creates a layer optimized for analytics, a higher form of organization that databases alone cannot create.
3. Predictive models
Once data is organized, business owners should use a data warehouse to build predictive models and potential outcomes. While it may seem futuristic, artificial intelligence (AI) is a great tool for small business owners because it has the potential to track and organize data more proficiently than humans ever could. AI is able to use data to make predictions based on past business experiences to show business owners where their money will be best spent.
4. Business operating system
In order to optimize efficiency, it is important to limit the number of different software used to run your business. By investing in a single software that is all encompassing, there are fewer programs to manage, and the business saves time and money. The costs of multiple systems add up quickly. Business operating systems help collect and organize data without the need for human involvement. By collecting data related to profits, losses, production and other measurable business metrics, trends can be mapped and comparisons made to outline problems or inconsistencies within the business operations. As a result, business owners are able to adjust their strategies earlier on.
5. Communication technology
Customer service is one of the most important aspects of any business, and technology can help ensure customer satisfaction. By incorporating automated communication, live chat and links to phone numbers, customer service will be fortified. By utilizing these tools, the line of communication will be open from business to consumer, enabling a higher satisfaction rate.
Implementing modern technology in today’s business world can set a company apart from those using outdated systems or no technology at all. By incorporating the use of helpful technology, business operation and customer satisfaction can drastically improve, creating a more efficient and successful operation.
Steve Cody is CEO and co-founder of The Better Software Company, a SaaS platform used by more than 450 customers to incorporate all essential functions of running a business.
