In March of 2000, my husband reluctantly drug me to a Lexus dealership to purchase one of the most advanced cars (at that time) on the market. Needless to say, I was less than impressed by the nonnegotiable (overly) priced vehicle. None the less, it possessed one of the first navigation systems.
Finally! I could ditch the small encyclopedia called the “Thomas Guide” that required a PhD in map reading in order to get to your destination a mere 20 miles away. How cool was that!
Fast forward sixteen years…
An automobiles navigation system is practically obsolete. Although a standard feature in most cars, smart phones and apps are now doing the lion’s share of the navigation. Why? Because it’s better, faster, and more reliable, in most situations.
Technology: A game changer for small business
Without a doubt, technology continues to change the landscape of our business.
- Technology improves productivity. When the right technology is used for such functions as sales, marketing, and operations, your business enjoys greater performance. Technology reduces paperwork, eliminates redundancy, and frees you up to attend to the core services on which your business growth depends. Don’t spend your time pushing paper; spend your time pushing profits.
- Technology enhances relevance. Have you seen a business without a website or online payment ability? We all have—which is hard to believe in this day and age. Although you may not think it negatively impacts your brand, guess again. Savvy consumers question the pertinence of a business who has not unleashed the power of technology in their business.
- Technology simplifies the consumers buying process. Buyers rule! And, what they want more than anything, is to reach their desired outcome in as few steps as possible. Technology affords them the opportunity to achieve their outcome.
- Technology gives back your time. Ask any small business owner to identify their most critical resource and you’ll likely hear one word—time. It’s the one precious commodity we wish we had more of. And, now we can. For instance, rather than being consumed by traffic, technology is used for “face-to-face” meetings across town or time zones.
- Technology expands brand awareness and reach. Gone are the days for small business growth to be limited by geography. Through the use of technology, today’s business growth is only limited by one’s imagination.
Even so, it can all be a little overwhelming—especially for a small business owner.
Start small—Finish big
You don’t have to be Google, Apple, or Amazon to take advantage of technological advancements for business growth.
Start small by replacing redundancy with automation. Connect people and processes where possible. Eliminate (or dramatically reduce) costly paper transactions. Use software as it was intended—as a solution. And, most importantly…just start.
The business world has changed. Have you?
Are your small business tools and technology contributing to your productivity, performance, and profitability? If not, let’s chat about how to use the right technology to support your business goals for growth.
