Technology is changing the way we live, and it’s also changing the way we do business. Businesses are finding new ways to leverage technology to enhance their operations and increase productivity, but many are still struggling to make sense of all the new tools that are available.
Here are seven innovative ways to leverage your business through technology:
1. Automate workflows.
Workflow automation can eliminate much of the manual effort involved in completing a task or process. By automating a workflow, you reduce errors and improve efficiency by eliminating repetitive tasks. Anytime you can reduce the amount of time employees spend performing a task manually and give them more time to focus on strategic activities or projects, it’s a win for everyone involved.
2. Use mobile devices.
Mobile devices offer businesses an opportunity to access information anytime and anywhere they need it — including on the go. Mobile users tend to be more engaged than desktop users because they’re able to access information intuitively through touchscreen interfaces that match their natural gestures and behaviors with the device itself — like swiping left or right on a smartphone screen rather than clicking buttons with a mouse cursor or typing on an external keyboard.
3. Invest in cloud-based solutions.
Cloud-based solutions are the most efficient, cost-effective, and secure option for any business. They give you access to the latest technology without having to invest in expensive hardware or software. Cloud solutions are available all over the world, which means they can be accessed anywhere, at any time.
Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing areas of IT spending. Perhaps the most obvious benefit of this technology is that you don’t have to invest in expensive hardware for your business, which means no more spending thousands of dollars on computers and other hardware every year. Instead, you can rely on the power of the cloud to run your software programs at a minimal cost. Moreover, if you do want to add new software or hardware to your system, you simply pay a monthly fee for it instead of buying additional equipment outright. This makes it easier for small businesses to grow without having to worry about making large capital investments upfront.
4. Library Management System.
Library Management System is a software that helps in maintaining and managing any kind of library. This software will help you to maintain your inventory, customers and their information, employees’ information, acquisitions, and much more. It also helps in managing your books properly.
LMS like the one Softlink provides can help you maintain your inventory properly so that you can know the number of books available at your library at any given time. You can also check how many books have been borrowed by people and how many books need to be returned back to the library. This feature helps in maintaining proper records of each book available at your library so that when someone comes looking for something specific, they get it easily without having to search through lots of books just because they don’t know where exactly that book is located within the library itself!
Before investing in an LMS, it’s important to assess your current needs. You’ll need to decide if you want a simple database or something more robust that includes features like digital asset management (DAM). This will help you determine how much effort you want to put into creating your own database or finding one that already exists online. Once you’ve done this, it’s time to find the right solution for your needs!
5. Implement augmented reality (AR) into your marketing strategy.
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows you to overlay digital information on top of your physical environment. This means that you can use AR to bring products and services to life in a new way.
According to a report by Augment, the AR market is expected to be worth $27 billion by 2022. That’s because there are so many ways in which this technology can benefit your business.
If you want to learn how to leverage AR for your marketing strategy, here are some ideas:
- Showcase product demonstrations
- Create virtual tours of your workplace or office space
- Display product information at events or trade shows
- Use AR to engage customers. AR allows users to interact with products in a way that’s more interesting than just looking at them online or in person.
6. Turn Your Phone into a CRM.
CRM is an essential tool for any business. It helps you keep track of client information, and it can also help you grow your business by automating some of your most time-consuming tasks. However, many small businesses don’t have the resources to hire a dedicated CRM team or purchase expensive software.
Thankfully, there are plenty of free CRM apps that you can use on your phone.
In an ideal world, you would have a dedicated CRM system that automatically tracks all of your leads and contacts. But in reality, many small businesses don’t have the budget for a full-time employee whose sole job is to manage the company’s customer database.
That doesn’t mean you have to go without a CRM system altogether — far from it! There are plenty of free or inexpensive apps available that will allow you to use your smartphone as a stand-in for a dedicated CRM system. You can use these apps to track emails, phone calls, and social media interactions with customers so you know exactly where they’re coming from and what they’re interested in buying from you. This information will help you tailor future marketing campaigns so that they’re more likely to convert into sales.
7. Take Advantage of Mobile Apps & Ecommerce Platforms.
Mobile apps have become a necessity for most businesses these days. With mobile app development platforms like Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, you can create an app that allows customers to easily access your business and products on their smartphones.
Ecommerce platforms like Shopify also allow you to set up an online store where customers can order your product directly from their mobile phone or desktop computer. This platform makes it easy for people to purchase goods without having to go through the hassle of going into a store in person.
Leverage Your Business Through Technology.
Technology should be used as a tool to make life easier. Whether it’s automating tasks, networking with other professionals, or just getting organized, technology offers the modern business the opportunity to reach their goals quicker, easier and less expensively than ever before.
