Request edit accessYou’ve probably heard it a million times: technology is changing the face of business. But let’s be real – for everyday small business owners, especially in fields like construction, home services, or buildings, it can feel like you’re being left behind in a digital dust storm. We got it. Sometimes, it feels like tech is reserved for the big players with their deep pockets and IT departments.
But you know what? That’s a myth. Just because you’re a small or micro-business doesn’t mean you can’t harness the power of modern tech to get ahead. We can all say a big thank you to the high levels of competition in the tech start-up space, which drives down costs and provides more power to buyers. So, take a quick break from the job and try to untangle the technology maze in your space.
Before we dive in, remember – you don’t have to become a tech guru overnight. The digital realm is vast, but with small, consistent steps, you’ll soon find it’s not as intimidating as it appears. Tons of online resources and friendly YouTube guides can help. So, take it slow. The key to success here is for you to budget 30 minutes per day to learn about ONE aspect of technology that could help your business. Now, we know this can be difficult to do if you’ve been running around between sites and spending hours on the phone with suppliers, but it will serve you well in the long term.
Picture this. A place where your entire team can drop in, share updates, tick off tasks, and never miss a deadline. Sounds dreamy, right? That’s essentially what cloud-based project management tools do. This type of field service management software allows you to centralize the work on all fronts in one central location. Now if this concept still freaks you out, or you don’t feel confident with computer and cloud systems, don’t worry about it. The majority of these service providers have world-class training structures in place to help you set up and manage your own live system. The only thing you have to do is set your pride aside and take the plunge.
Imagine if you had a little assistant who remembered every detail about every customer – from their last purchase to their dog’s name. This is known as a Customer Relationship Management system. Or a CRM, as the tech nerds say. Think of CRM as your client filing system married to your Rolodex, but way more advanced and useful. CRMs can be useful in many ways, from business development to compliance management. Once again, don’t be overwhelmed by this concept in theory, CRMs can be extremely versatile, so you can initially use CRM to manage one aspect of your client relationship management and then expand into other areas.
Cash-only is so last century. With handy mobile payment tools, you can now accept payments on your phone, right on the spot. Now we all know that cash is king in many respects, so you don’t always have to use a cashless system, however, the majority of your clients will arguably want to pay by electronic means. Except for that one pizza shop on the corner, you’re doing a renovation for.
For businesses juggling products and materials, keeping track of what’s in stock can be a nightmare. But with inventory and supply chain management tools, it’s like having an eagle eye over everything. If you’re doing single projects where you can manually keep track of your supplies and products, you should be fine. However, the moment you start tackling multiple projects, this is where stock management software really comes in handy.
This might sound a bit sci-fi, but virtual and augmented reality tools let your customers try before they buy. Think of them as magic glasses that let clients visualize products or designs in their space. Now in this area, you would need some understanding of the underlying design tools, because the VR or AR systems don’t just generate designs based on what the client tells you. You will need a skilled designer who can design a draft of the client’s project brief, and then you’ll use VR/AR to show the client what this would look like once the job is done. This is very useful for clients who are sitting on the fence when it comes to the design stage.
They’re really unsure of what they want. Furthermore, these types of clients are also usually the ones that fall into the project creep category. As you implement the design, they often change their mind and add things, as they weren’t sure before the project started.
Once you’re familiar with a few tools, the real magic happens when they start talking to each other. Integration platforms let you link different tools so that data flows smoothly across them. This allows you to control the majority of your business and reporting from one single platform. This would combine your project management, invoicing and CRM systems all into one big system.
To start, you need to reflect on what your business needs most. More organized projects? Better customer connections? Start there. Ensure that you include your team in this analysis process, as they often understand the various aspects of your business in more detail than you do.
Look for tools that fit your needs. And remember, it’s okay to start small. In fact, it might even be best to start small. Remember that 30 minutes a day we discussed earlier, this is your dedicated time to do your research. You could also consider booking time with a business technology consultant to discuss your needs and then strategize on potential solutions.
Once you pick a tool, dive into tutorials. And hey, mistakes are okay. They’re just learning in disguise. Speak to your technology suppliers about the training solutions they offer.
The tech world is always changing. The tech tools in your business will inevitably move with the industry as technology companies are forced to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This means that you’ll have to remain up to date with the changes and new versions as they are released.
The world of technology in business isn’t reserved for the giants. With the right tools and a touch of determination, your small or micro-business can thrive in the digital age. Remember, it’s not about jumping onto every tech trend but finding what works for you. So, here’s to embracing the future and growing your business – one digital step at a time!
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