Technology can make life easier. The amount of memory and power that can be carried around in a pocket matches what use to fit into an entire room just a few decades back. Learning the different tools and how to make the most of them will allow you to put technology to work for you, your business and your success.
The key to using technology is to balance the cost verses the benefits. Most of the advances of today can do something for a small business or for individuals, but sometimes the cost associated are better used for other needs. Look at what is saved in time or effort when putting the new technology into service.
Technology for the Business
Smart phones – the increased options on many of the smart phones today help you to carry almost your entire office around with you in your pocket. Keep in touch with colleges, email important files, or just check in with home all with a few stokes on a keypad.
Webinars – businesses can expand around the globe and still keep everything based through the home office with internet conferences. These webinars allow companies to cut down on travel expenses and also stay better connected with different offices and employees.
Document Sharing software – no reason to email files. Colleagues can use different software to share folders, files and even exchange ideas instantly.
Instant Messaging – email revolutionized communications, but IM took that communication to the next level. There is no delay in the communication and ideas can be exchange more easily.
Blogs and Social Networking – business can now connect with customers around the globe without the expense normally associated with expansions. Building up a following through the internet provides business with opportunities that were not possible just a few years back.
Computers – think of the computer as a portable business. Everything from advertisement creation to presentation development can be done on the computers of today. Computers can even be used to make presentations to clients, customers and potential investors.
External Hard Drives and Off Site Backups – these offer a way to protect information from all possible issues. Even a complete destruction of the computer will not result in the loss of information when the offsite backups are utilized. This means that businesses will be able to get back to fully functioning sooner rather than later after encountering a major problem.
Tips for Finding the Right Technology
1. Set a budget for all the technologies for the business.
2. Make a list of all needs that the business encounters on a daily basis – telephone, conference, and advertising.
3. Make a list of all the future needs that may come up (like expansion).
4. Research the new technologies that are available.
5. Compare benefits of the different tools.
6. Compare costs of the different tools.
7. Choose the tools that fit into your budget and provide the most benefits for you particular business.
Technology can be a way to expand a business by providing new avenues that were not available in the past. Other technologies can also help free up time and energy of workers.
Not all technology will work for your business. Reviewing your needs will help you choose the ones that work best for you and also do not break the bank. The right technological tools can help you do more with your business and reach the success that you desire.
Take the time to learn how to put technology to work in your business. You will find that with the right tools you will reach the place that you envisioned for your life and for your business.
Mark has been a tech geek for his whole life. He currently blogs about ways to utilize qr code and is always wearing army t shirts.
