5 Ways To Streamline Business Processes With Technology
2020 has been a challenging year in many ways, and it has been especially difficult for businesses to stay productive and efficient while trying to navigate the new normal of an at-home workforce. If you are still finding it challenging to keep your business afloat, here are five simple ways to streamline your business processes with technology.
Utilize the Cloud
According to Right Scale’s annual State of the Cloud Report for 2019, 91% of businesses used public cloud and 72% used a private solution. Making business files and documents accessible via the cloud is a great way to give easy access to all of your employees. Moving data to the cloud is also a great way to cut costs, since you are no longer responsible for maintaining and purchasing expensive server hardware. Many services allow you to only pay for the storage that you use, so you can purchase more space for busy seasons and adjust up or down as needed.
Invest in Good Customer Relationship Management Software
Another simple way to streamline your business is to invest in good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. CRMs are essential for customer tracking and retention, and are the best way to keep your sales team on the same page. Not only is CRM software a great way to track prospects, but it is also a way to keep tabs on current customers and potentially sell to them again in the future. According to the National Law Review, it can cost five times more to acquire new customers than to keep current ones, so your existing customers really should be an important part of your sales strategy. If you are wondering how businesses get paid faster, look no further than a robust CRM and a sales team that focuses on and appreciates their current customer base.
Distribute Smart Devices
If much of your workforce is now remote, ensure that they have all of the tools that they need to be successful outside of the office. Invest in devices, such as tablets and lightweight laptops, that are easy to transport should an employee need to make an on-site visit or even a simple trip to a spot that has strong WIFI (being locked up at home all day is no good for mental health or productivity). Though bulky monitors, keyboards, and docking stations may have been a great solution in your office setting, consider that employees working from home may not have the same amount of space available that they once did. This is a simple way to keep your company on task instead of wasting time trying to get everything set up just right.
Try Some Automation Software
Now is the time to try to be as efficient as possible, and automating some basic processes, such as payroll, can help. If your payroll runs at the same time bi-weekly or monthly and it isn’t overly complicated, start by seeing if it can be automated so that your accounting department can focus on more pressing tasks. You can also procure scheduling software for social media and email blasts so you don’t have to be present every time you want to connect with followers and customers. Simply create the content, schedule it for whenever you want, and move onto other projects.
Get Good Video Conferencing Software
Sometimes, a phone call isn’t enough. Being able to engage with coworkers and employees face-to-face is often a more effective way to meet, and most importantly, it is a way to restore a little sense of normalcy during these strange and challenging times. Some employees do much better when things are presented visually, so consider getting some video software that can make meeting times more interactive and even fun.
Technology can offer countless benefits to your business. Use these simple tips to streamline your processes and keep your company running as smoothly and efficiently as possible—even during a pandemic.
