Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Give your business a technology tune-up: five ways to make you and your business run smoother


We all want the freedom to roam free from our desks, find a better work-life balance and increase our overall productivity. If it seems you're not reaping all the benefits of being a small business owner, having the right technology could be the answer.


Your local technology retailer is often a good place to start. When deciding where to buy, go with the retailer who's willing to stand behind their products. A good tech provider should also be able to offer focused solutions unique to your business. You might also consider investing in an external hard drive that can back up software and self-update at least every 30 minutes.Your technology needs will change as your business develops in the next few years. The idea of running a business completely online was unheard of 10 years ago. Now, many small business owners incorporate e-commerce and operate from a mobile device. Access to helpful technology allows you to better serve your clients and customers. Having the right technology will also help you find a better work-life balance.Timely maintenance and support is the best way to keep your technology running smoothly. Building a relationship with a trusted technology professional is worth its weight in gold. Best, of all, quick access to tech support can provide peace of mind and an immeasurable sense of assurance if and when the inevitable crisis arises.2. Make Friends with Social Media5. Think of Tech Support as a Silent PartnerIt's now common for small business owners to bring work on the road, to client meetings and back home. Take your business wherever you want to go by finding an energy efficient, fast-processing laptop with dependable wireless capabilities, and a mobile device that can serve as a secretary, bookkeeper and personal assistant.Recent mobile applications make working remotely much easier by allowing you to review sales quotes, access business intelligence reports and assemble a human resource department in the palm of your hand. You can also choose mobile applications that let you review your business expenses from the airport, manage and track time over coffee and conduct conference calls from a park bench. Many mobile phones now offer turn-by-turn navigation, which is necessary for stress-free travel and saves you the cost of a new GPS. By selecting the best phone for your business, you can cut unnecessary expenses and gain constant access to exactly what you need.1. Unchain Your Workplace3. Spruce Up Your StorefrontIn today's economic climate it's imperative that small business owners capitalize on the power of social media to build relationships, generate leads and stay connected with their customers. To do that, more and more business are investing in software that can monitor web traffic and compile metrics to increase their online presence. Once gathered, this information is often used to better inform clients and interact with potential customers. Most importantly, these new services can save you loads of time and stress by presenting the data in an attractive and easy-to-use format.Even the latest technology can hold you back if you're not operating with the most current software. Investing more in software that can handle your bookkeeping and time management could mean more time spent in front, of clients. Updated software also guarantees you have the most capable programs available to produce quality presentations, organize data and promote compatibility with other operating systems.4. Not All Software is Created Equal

Your technology needs will change as your business develops in the next few years. The idea of running a business completely online was unheard of 10 years ago. Now, many small business owners incorporate e-commerce and operate from a mobile device. Access to helpful technology allows you to better serve your clients and customers. Having the right technology will also help you find a better work-life balance.




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