No matter the amount of sales you are bringing in on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, there is always that bit that needs to be trimmed away for a more efficient business process. Cutting down on your expenses and keeping running costs under check works to your advantage if not done under duress. The best time to do this is during that period you are experiencing great sales, allowing you to add up your profits.
Technology gives business owners various options for streamlining their operations, if you choose to do so. Here are a few hacks for the tech savvy-businesses.
Wherever Possible, Automate
The Industrial Revolution is an example of how automation plays an important role in increasing productivity while keeping overhead costs low. For instance, even though you are not manufacturing aircraft parts such as aircraft tow bars, there is still a way you can use SaaS tools to automate the most routine departments of just about any business. Various tools can be used to reduce the number of employees handling things like payroll, invoicing, taxation and accounting, freeing your resources and time for business growth efforts.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Another aspect of business that greatly benefits from technology is customer relationship management. Despite the perceived difficulties of implementing a CRM system in a business, you are likely to get the highest return on investment. For example, an incoming call to your business may cost you a few dollars when handled by an employee, but the same call handled by an automated system will cost something in the range of cents.
Automated CRM systems have greatly improved in the past few years and have proven that they are capable of handling the job as long as tasks are kept simple. In other words, a human presence will still be required to handle complex issues.
Increased Mobility and Efficiency
For many businesses, employees are usually confined to a single location – the office. This is because they have to manually carry out certain tasks or the employee can only use a specific machine. Through automation, employees are no longer confined to the walls of your office.
Your employees can now work wherever it matters and still have access to important company information using their handheld devices. This is accomplished through the use of mobile apps that offer the critical information to your employee. Businesses can also use online software and give their employees access at a moment’s notice without wasting precious business hours.
Increased employee mobility accounts for quicker tasks turnaround times. As businesses and customers look for fast solutions, finishing a project efficiently adds up to more money for the business owner.
Better Client Interaction
Technology is giving businesses more space when it comes to directly working with their clients. Specifically, automated processes are opening the doors to better client involvement and communication. This is achievable through built-in client portals and sending of automated updates at regular intervals from automation software.
Using technology this way reduces time spent on unimportant tasks, reducing human error chances and allowing your clients to be involved in their projects. Your business also stands a better chance of operating more efficiently, reducing costs and improving client communication.
Technology is everywhere, from light sensitive switches that turn off lights during the day to electronics and appliances with high Energy Star ratings that reduce your carbon footprint. With the adoption of technology, your employees are less likely to spend time on tasks that previously took hours to accomplish. Automating your process not only cuts time spent on menial tasks to a fraction of the time, but also reduces human errors.
