A few decades ago, there was no email, mobile marketing, Internet, smartphones and telecommuting and business activities were still being carried. Now after introduction of the above technologies, it has changed the way business is being carried out. Communications are now instantaneous, one can send huge amounts of data and information through the Internet and powerful business tools are at the disposal of the owners and employees. These technological gifts have improved operations in various organizations of all sizes and have facilitated growth of small local businesses into global corporations.
This is mainly after these businesses have effectively implemented these gifts of technology in their day to day running of their businesses. Currently, it is very rare to find a business owner who is comfortable enough to allow his/her business to run without changes; especially with the current unsteady financial situation, a majority of them are trying their best to retain and attract new customers in order to stay afloat. Investing in the latest technology in one of the ways one can achieve this, in any field of business. Now think of your business, what is the relationship between technology, you and your business and how can this relationship help your business to reach new heights?
How to Use the Gift of Technology Effectively in your Business
Customer Service
Talking of retaining and attracting more customers to the business, quality customer service is the most effective way of achieving this. Technology brings customers closer to the businesses. Currently, businesses are using technology to improve their customer service support such as online chat via their websites, emails to answer questions, and use of most recent phone equipment in their call centers. Thus, technology gives the customers a multiplicity of ways to contact the business thus increasing customer satisfaction. It is important to keep in mind that, though technology is a very potent tool, the human element also contributes greatly in customer services thus, ensure that your employees are properly trained on how to offer effective customer service and also how to use technology properly.
Marketing
Marketing is key to any business success; traditionally established businesses had an advantage over other businesses because of their ability to reach wider markets than their small business counterparts. Days are gone when the size of the company dictated the marketing power because, technology has freed small and medium businesses from less marketing opportunities due to low availability of capital. Businesses no longer have to spend huge amount of money to market their products; they have a multiplicity of ways to market their products such as: Internet marketing which entails use either an informational website, search engines advertisements and sale of product online.
Email marketing is another cheap and effective method of advertising in form of coupons, business updates or newsletters targeting a large group of people. Mobile marketing though is new also is an effective form of marketing which involves text message adverts, advertisements on mobile applications and more.
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Lately, customers are using the internet to find products thus, having an online presence and more so a functional website is very important in marketing your products. Having a striking website together with a relevant SEO campaign to improve your business’ ranking in the search engines may be what you need to give your company an edge in reaching greater heights.
Automation
Automation through the use of computers in most of business environments has reduced the use of manual labor with computer systems taking over cumbersome and redundant tasks which previously required numerous people to perform. Automation has the benefit of increasing efficiency and also reducing the cost of production in the long run. Thus, for a business owner who wants to increase efficiency and reduce cost of production, it is necessary for him/her to increase automation in the production process.
Computer Based Training
These are software programs used to teach the employees skills required to carry out a specific task in a virtual environment. It is an advanced form of automation where the software is set to create work place scenarios to assist employees to learn and apply in their daily responsibilities. This software comes very handy to the employer because, it can test the employees on job awareness, can help with employee development, increase employee job responsibility and increase output in areas, such as employee relations, customer support and communication.
Teleconferencing
Use of a phone is a mode of Teleconferencing but a more advanced form is web conferencing which involves use of mutual online meeting spaces, webcams and audio to create an interactive environment. Thus, one need not to travel to attend business meeting thus cutting down travel cost as participants have face to face conversations just as in the real world. Small businesses are taking advantage of this technology to expand their customer base to include global customers and employees.
Conclusion
Having established what is the relationship between you, your business and technology, you can now use this relationship help your business to reach new heights. All you need to do is to make sure that this technology works for you and not against you. A common mistake made by numerous entrepreneurs is to assume that technology alone will ensure the success of the business, but only proper business management and planning coupled with proper implementation and use of this technology will guarantee business success.
About Me:- Clara Holt is a project & resource coordinator at eResource Scheduler. An ardent technology lover, a rookie digital marketer, she writes about how one can be good at managing their resources & utilizing them to the maximum potential.
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