At a time when people are spending more time at home, making use of digital technology to improve business efficiency and services is more important than ever. In fact, digital transformation plays a key role in how businesses have been able to survive and thrive during the pandemic. This was seen in the immediate shift to remote work during the quarantine and lockdown periods.
Now, as the economy begins to open again, businesses are taking the next steps to digital transformation. From automation to more proactive use of technology, here are a few ways businesses can fast-track their shift to digital.
Automate Repetitive Processes
Every business has redundant processes or workflows that, if automated, can make productivity more efficient. This is called business process automation or BPA, which passes information to the right person at the right time to help streamline workflows. This kind of technology can be applied to different areas of the business, such as human resources, accounts payable, and even contract management. Not only does it help you manage your information better, but it can also help improve the recruitment process and even employee development.
Take Advantage of Technology
One of the simplest ways to take advantage of technology to benefit your business is by going remote. While you may have to provide your employees with the proper technology to keep the business running, you won’t have to worry about paying for the monthly office rent. Programs such as Zoom, Slack, Google Drive, and other work applications also make communication and activities, including file sharing, easier, faster, and more secure.
For retail businesses, on the other hand, web-based or contactless payments are an efficient and safe way to receive payments for goods or services during the pandemic. The use of technology in businesses doesn’t stop at contactless payments and remote working, however, as even marketing takes place online. No longer is there a need for posters, tarpaulins, and highway ads when social media exists. Many companies have turned to social media as the channel to market products and advertise their brand to a wide range of consumers.
Assess Customer Needs and Prioritize Them
Some businesses focus on quality, while others focus on profit. But when it comes to technology, you need to pay attention to the needs of your customers. Since customers make or break a business, you must pay attention to their needs and find innovative ways to provide these needs. Once you have this information, you will be able to figure out which kinds of technology can benefit your business and provide the customers what they need more efficiently.
Doing this can help you make more strategic choices that can help your business thrive, even in uncertain times like this.
Take Things Step by Step
The worst thing any business can do at any time is to rush a process. Not only can this lead to confusion, but it can also result in losses. For instance, when implementing technology, it’s important to do so one at a time. This allows you to observe and analyze the effectiveness of the technology on your business and gauge just how much your business can stand to benefit from a certain technology.
One of the simplest technologies that businesses can implement is using online word processing, storage, and file-sharing programs that significantly reduce the amount of paper being used in the workplace. Not only does this benefit the environment, but it can also save you and your business money and time by having all your files in one place, allowing easy distribution when needed.
Work with an Expert
As technology continues to advance, it may be harder for business owners to understand let alone implement them into their businesses. Business owners tend to purchase equipment that they think will help solve many internal problems, but they don’t realize that it needs support in the form of training. This is because technology fails to be effective when it isn’t used the right way.
Business owners should consider getting in touch with professionals who have experience in implementing these technologies. These professionals can help them avoid mistakes and problems in the future. Experts can help businesses identify problems in workflows, streamline processes, choose the right technology that can benefit the business, and train employees to properly use these technologies.
Running a business isn’t easy. At a time when consumer behavior is drastically changing, business owners have to pivot and make the shift to digital if they want their business to survive in the pandemic. But with proper strategic planning, the right technology, and the help of experts, transforming your business for the future of the digital economy will be worth it.
