The business world is always changing and growing. It responds to the market’s wants and needs, and new and better ways of doing business are constantly being developed. When IBM adopted the personal computer for their banking system, they brought the computer closer to society. This was in 1981, and in 2019 we’re coming up to 40 years since we all started using these machines in our day-to-day lives. Technology is a constant influence in our society, and especially in the way we do business with one another.
What many businessmen want to know is, “how much technology should we implement in our business and business model?” The answer is, in short, that you should always be investing time and money into research and trying more technologically advanced business tools. Do, however, bear in mind that constantly adapting new technology or new methods of work can be disruptive to your workflow, so only the most beneficial of these should be implemented. Work processes take time to develop and every time it is altered will require a break-in period.
When looking at your business, assess how your employees complete their tasks and keep in mind two things – productivity and moral. Don’t sacrifice one for the other, and analyse how technology can improve them both equally. Investing in newer workstations, for example, may mean your employees can work more productively and this in turn can boost moral.
Find the systems and tech that make working in your business enjoyable and productive. Personalized computers, company phones, and free hot drinks are all considered part-and-parcel of working for many businesses nowadays. Grow and modernize your infrastructure through every quarter. Audit each system and figure out why and how it is or is not working for you. Do this so you know when and where to upgrade or replace.
Give your support staff all the tools to be the foundation your business is built upon. Each member may require their own work device which has all the necessary programs to complete their tasks. You can use communication software on a closed network to provide a quick and easy way to reach each employee at a moment’s notice or create chat groups for singlar projects.
To facilitate interpersonal communication, like important meetings, think-tanks, and studio projects, consider implementing room booking software that will streamline the process. The amount and type of technology your company uses will ultimately depend on the amount of people in the company. For companies at the mid-level size and up, programs like room booking software are the best way to effectively organize certain processes. By giving all the employees the opportunity to interact, share ideas, and work together, a company can maximize their productivity.
So back to the question – invest the time to look into the current available tech and see where it can benefit your company. There is no right answer when it comes to adopting technology as each business is different, and the success of any implementation can never be guaranteed. It is, however, extremely important to keep an open mind and to constantly be on the lookout for anything that can improve the business.