Becoming a part of the modern business world means learning some new skills that will enhance business management.
For starters, new SMB-owners need to master their core management tasks, such as negotiations with clients and onboarding. Furthermore, technology has put new challenges in front of business owners. From data storage and online communication to productivity and lead generation, there are many things to understand and implement.
Even though you can hardly become experts in this tech stuff, you’ll be more productive as a business owner if you get the gist of them. After reading the next few paragraphs, you’ll know the tech basics for SMB-management.
1. Ensuring a stable Internet connection
The choice of office space depends on the sector you work in but for most online businesses, there’s no need to hire an official business space. The number of home workers is constantly increasing in the USA.
So, as a business owner, you can rent business premises but it’s not a must, especially when you’re still trying to make ends meet, finances-wise.
What is obligatory, however, is ensuring a stable Internet connection, both for home-based solopreneurs and SMB-owners with a rented office space.
It’s recommended to opt for reliable Internet providers who offer special business deals. As opposed to them, you shouldn’t try your luck with new players on the market. Even though they might be a bit cheaper, their infrastructure usually isn’t as developed as the one owned by traditional providers. Downtime in Internet connection can result in serious business consequences so don’t play with that.
Also, learn the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi so that you can ensure a smooth connection for all your employees in the office.
2. Diversifying data storage
This is the age of digital data. As reported by Domo, in 2017, we used to create more than 3.5 quintillions (1018) of data every day. Since these figures are only going to rise, it’s clear that both private users and business entities create enormous amounts of data.
That’s why data storage within a small business can be a tricky question.
If every worker keeps their files on their personal computers, the co-workers and managers won’t be able to access them. This can slow down the entire workflow and result in less efficient business management.
As a business owner, you should start using cloud services. This doesn’t only include keeping your business files, photos, and videos online. For instance, with Google Drive, you can even use Google Hangouts, which is a fair tool for chatting and video calls. It has basic features but it can come in handy for most SMB-newbies.
Of course, there are many other cloud solutions that offer dozens of different services to meet your business needs. Some of them are paid, while some are free. Take your time to find out more about the most practical ones and choose the most suitable one for your business.
Another advantage of cloud services is that they are perfect for online and remote workers. Everybody with granted permission can access, edit, and create documents that way on the Web.
Our two cents: use traditional in-house hard drives and flash drives for storing confidential financial data and business information about your clients.
3. Encouraging online collaboration
We’ve already pointed out that cloud solutions will ease the online collaboration process. Instead of storing a document on your computer and sending it to your collaborators via email, everybody can collaborate in real time via cloud services.
Thanks to its efficiency, speed, and functionality, online collaboration is a great choice for every business owner.
For instance, if you want to make a presentation for a business conference, update the photos, videos, and the wording of the presentation to the cloud. Give the assignment to the worker who is going to make it and he or she can start working on it immediately.
Business collaboration tools offer a variety of options, from mere data storage and collaboration of various parties on the same document to project management and productivity tracking.
Various solutions prepare different packages for business users, some of which are free, while others are paid.
Whenever possible, opt for free tools to save assets at the beginning of your business quest. What usually happens afterward is that your needs for online collaboration grow together with your business development. If that happens, it means that you’ve been doing a great job as a business owner.
4. Tracking lead conversion
Business owners should be aware of the fact that their websites are actually their online shop windows. In the brick-and-mortar world, a lead is every person who enters your store based on what he/she has seen in the window.
In the digital world, a lead is a website visitor who does a practical action, such as registering for a newsletter or making a purchase.
As explained by the guys from a Web design company in Houston explain, the more clearly you address your target audience on the website, the more leads you’ll generate.
This means that your website should be free of any confusing or ambiguous content. You want to grasp the attention of your visitors as soon as possible and convey short, concise messages that will make an impact on them.
In that light, check with your web designer the metrics related to website visitors and conversion rates. If you have enough time, start reading about these measurements on your own and come up with ideas that will boost lead conversion.
The final word
Managing a small business is both an excitement and sacrifice. Technical solutions are here to make this experience as smooth and efficient as possible. New small business owners should understand the basics of the most important tools to include them in their business operations. As technology is rapidly developing, their roles will be even more important in the future. If you start using them on time, you’ll be ready for the business future. As a result, you’ll ensure a smooth workflow over a long time.
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Author Byline: Liam Collins is a tech pundit and Web enthusiast working at TuiSpace.com. He spends most of his time reading and writing about the current affairs in the world of information technology. When he isn’t working, he likes going for long bike rides and walks in nature.
