Regardless of the business you are in, there is no overstating the importance of technology relative to your business’s growth.
From a manufacturing business to a retail store, there have been monumental leaps in technology in recent years that can help propel you and your business forward. As you evaluate your current tech stack, below are the top four areas that you may not be leveraging currently that will save you time and money so that you can focus on the core areas of your business.
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- Automation: Routine tasks are critical to any business, but that doesn’t mean you or your staff have to do them manually. Many of your current processes, i.e., data-entry, CRM/email campaigns, social media, billing and reporting can be automated. The goal of automation is not to replace staff but to save your staff time so they can focus their efforts on areas that will help the business grow and be more profitable.
- Integration: Integration is not a buzzword, especially in terms of all the various systems you use for managing your business. Whether you are a team of 15 or a team of 1,500, integration means your HR, payroll, inventory, ordering, and/or IT systems are all integrated for better connectivity, visibility and eliminating data sitting outside in silos.
- Real-Time Visibility: Data is only good if the data is correct. In the immediacy of today’s global and remote work environment, that means real-time accuracy. It’s this visibility into your accounting, inventory and other key data points that will allow you to make the most informed decisions for your business.
- Custom Workflows: While the functions, departments or systems in a business might be similar, no two businesses are the same. So when you are relying on off-the-shelf solutions, you don’t have solutions tailored to your business’s specific needs. You want standardized, scalable and enforceable processes for your business, not cookie-cutter solutions shoe-horned into your business. This is also important to keep in mind that you want solutions that will grow as your business grows. The needs of your business today will likely change over time as you grow and scale.
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It’s hard to believe that the movie “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” was released more than 20 years ago as a dystopian view of the future, whereas AI today is ubiquitous in business technology.
The first step in leveling up our business through technology is truly identifying your needs, finding the right solutions and making sure you and your teams are leveraging the right technologies to help you grow. No matter where you are on your business journey, chances are the right technology can help you be smarter, and more organized, which will free up time to focus on what you do best.
Remember: Technology is a tool, and it’s how you best leverage it that will help your business grow.
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