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How Collaborative Tech Can Help Businesses Escape a Growth Rut

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By Kayla Matthews

While the rapid advance of technology is a boon to most business owners, others find it overwhelming, confusing and unnecessary. Adding to the confusion are workers who voice concerns over increasing automation, the increase of threats like viruses and malware, and next-gen systems that are too costly during their initial launch.

To ease the transition for these business owners, IT teams are turning to collaborative technology.

The Rise of Cobots

You’ve been hearing about robots for decades, but what about cobots? Instead of replacing human workers with AI-driven, fully autonomous machines, many business owners are embracing the modern cobot. Instead of working in opposition to your current staff or taking over their jobs entirely, cobots have one clear goal: to work with their human counterparts and strengthen productivity across the board.

It’s a winning situation for everyone involved. The majority of your roster will likely keep their jobs while your company benefits from the heightened productivity and efficiency that is only available through advanced hardware like cobots.

Next-Gen Software

Software solutions are a dime-a-dozen, especially in the business sector. It’s sometimes difficult to separate legitimate apps and utilities from viruses or malware — but there are some highly useful programs available to today’s business owners.

One such program, Encircle, is meant specifically for modern enterprises and highly collaborative environments. According to recent case studies, organizations that use Encircle boast a 65 percent reduction in administration tasks, a 160 percent increase in reporting accuracy, a 250 percent increase in workplace efficiency and more.

There are plenty of applications to choose from, depending on your software needs. Other popular collaboration tools include Skype, SharePoint, Office 365, Yammer, OneDrive and many more.

The Internet of Things

Both the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are gaining a lot of momentum in the 21st century. While the latter is relevant in industrial professions — like manufacturing, construction, mining and fossil fuel production — the generalized IoT has tremendous potential to transform how business owners run their enterprises in the future.

According to top experts in the field, the IoT has four potential benefits for modern businesses, including:

  • Greater operational efficiency
  • Better customer service and an improved customer experience
  • Decreased risk in everyday operations
  • More business value through new services and programs

Business owners who want to make the most of the IoT will need to collaborate with a knowledgeable and experienced IT team, because the scope of the IoT is too large, complex and involved for one person.

New Marketing Initiatives

The newfound emphasis on collaborative tech is creating some new marketing initiatives, too. Search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) are two methods that draw increased traffic to your website. In this case, SEO ensures your website is accessible via today’s search engines while SEM gives your site a higher rank in any search results.

For even greater effect, business owners turn to social media marketing. Today’s social media portals — including Facebook, LinkedIn and more — are the ideal platforms for testing out new marketing strategies, collaborating with partners and strengthening the overall customer experience.

How Collaborative Tech Benefits Everyone

Although the most obvious benefits of collaborative tech come to those on the frontlines, including IT officials, business owners and the modern workforce, greater collaboration on a professional level ultimately benefits us all.

Today’s customers can demand a level of personalization that wasn’t available five or 10 years ago, and owners can conduct business with their partners through high-definition video conferencing. It truly is a system that trickles down to benefit everyone involved.

 

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Featured image: Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Technology, the Future, and You

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by Amy Blankson

For those of us born before 2005, I’m sure you can think back to a time in your life that was not lived side by side with technology. When you had to go down to the library to look something up instead of searching for it on Google. When you had to make plans with your friends in advance of showing up somewhere. When you had no idea how many steps you had taken that day or how many times you asked a girl named Alexa a question.

The younger generation, on the other hand, spends an average of six-plus hours per day on their phones, literally changing a quarter of their life experiences from what we have known in the past.

With technology living in tandem with human beings, supporting nearly every function of our busy lives, the question now being asked is, are we happier? Would we be better without technology? Where are we heading?

These are some of the questions I ask in my new book, The Future of Happiness (April 2017, BenBella Books), which outlines several strategies for balancing productivity and well-being in the Digital Era. When people ask me these questions, I respond with some of these ideas:

Is technology making us happier?

Knowing that technology is here to stay, we need to learn how to live with the complexity of technology, not escape from it, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our well-being. That is not the price we pay for having access to information.

That being said, in order to live in harmony with technology, we must make a conscious effort to focus on what’s most important in our lives and to not get distracted.

Consider this: when you’re flipping through Facebook, posting pictures on Instagram or using any of the apps on your phone, stop and ask yourself, ‘is this making me happy?’ If you don’t know the answer to that question, create a trial period for the app that you’re using. If you feel happier or more productive after a month of using the app, make a mental note of your progress and continue to use the app.

If the opposite is true, you know what to do. Toss it out like yesterday’s newspaper. Life is too short to be wasted on apps that are not contributing to our overall well-being.

When it comes right down to it, technology is merely a tool to help us, not the answer to all of our problems. It is up to us whether or not we will allow technology to control our lives and our happiness. We all have the innate power to control technology so we can continue to live positively and productively.

What can we do to maintain a well-balanced technology diet?

In order to maintain a satisfying level of happiness and well-being in the Digital Era, it is important to consciously curate the amount and quality of technology consumed every day.

There are several strategies you can implement to find the right level of technology consumption that does not affect relationships or productivity in other areas of your life.

Establish tech-free brain breaks throughout your day to help your brain recharge, whether it’s right before bed, taking a phoneless walk on your lunch break, or playing with your kids. When interacting with others, close your laptop, and take your earbuds out to say hello when someone walks into the room.

Establish hard-and-fast rules for your use of technology and model digital citizenship in a way that makes sense for you. Not only will your life become more productive, but as you start to form good tech habits, it will create a ripple effect for those around you, especially your kids.

Beyond these ideas, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you have the ability to change your mindset. Just like Dorothy had the power inside of her all along to go back home to Kansas, you have the innate power to shape the future of technology and your happiness. You are welcome to let technology run your life, but just as simply, you are allowed to take control of your technology. Our devices can have a positive effect in our lives, but only if we allow it. As Shakespeare once said, “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

To learn more about strategies that can help you be more productive and happier with technology, click here to order The Future of Happiness.

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Amy Blankson is a happiness expert on the forefront of testing new technologies to foster well-being.  Amy’s upcoming book, The Future of Happiness: 5 Modern Strategies for Balancing Productivity and Well-Being in the Digital Era, (BenBella, April, 2017), brings her years of experience in happiness research and consulting to deliver a roadmap for those feeling overwhelmed by the wave of technology. She has a BA from Harvard and a MBA from Yale School of Management. She has been called upon by the likes of Google, NASA, the US Army, and the Xprize Foundation to consult on positive psychology strategies.

 

 

Make an App Work for Your Business

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iphone-410324_640 (1)Are you satisfied with where your business is as the New Year unfolds?

If the answer is not really, what do you plan to do about it?

Some business owners will simply sit back and hope that things improve, though they know that doing so is certainly taking a chance.

Others, meantime, will be much more pro-active about the situation.

If you’re in that latter group of owners, what do you plan to do this year and for down the road to make your business all the better?

Technology Can Drive Your Business

In the event you have been slow to the wave of technology over the years, you’re likely seeing the ramifications for it when it comes to your revenue.

While you do not have to be a technology geek, you should at least be aware of the different tech products and services out there, both of which could very well help your brand move forward.

With millions of consumers spending time on their mobile devices these days to browse for and ultimately buy goods and services, are you on the other end ready to serve them? If you’re not, there’s a very good chance your competition is.

If you haven’t figured out just yet why an app is a necessity for your business, follow along.

For starters, creating your own app can be a challenge, especially if your skills with such a device are limited at best.

If that’s the case, you are much better off going out and seeking the best app makers available.

Such companies in the app industry can come up with an app that not only will be worth the time of consumers to download on their mobile devices, but it will all but guarantee more cash flow for your business.

In finding the right app maker, be sure to do some research online, looking to see which app makers come with the highest recommendations from experts in the industry. Don’t just assume you are saving time and/or money by selecting the first one that pops up. Compare multiple apps side-by-side, seeing which one truly looks like it would provide you with the best technology, best customer service, and ultimately the best opportunity to bring in sales.

Promoting Your App

Once you have your own business app in place, the next big step is promoting it.

As with any device you try and promote, keep in mind that your competitors are likely doing the same thing. That then begs the question, how can you stand out from the competition?

To start with, put both your website and your social media initiatives to work.

For the former, your blog can be a great tool in marketing your app.

Writing content not only about your own company’s app, but also how consumers can benefit from downloading various business apps, is great information for the latter. Also be sure to put out any notable press releases when you are making additions etc. to your current app and what it has to offer the public.

As for social media, make sure you are as active as possible in promoting your app on the social channels.

This means the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others.

Also be ready to answer any and all questions from consumers about your app. As with any social media chatter you get from consumers, be sure to answer them back in a courteous and timely manner.

Speaking of consumers, don’t hesitate to ask satisfied customers to help promote your app for you. As they begin to tell their family members and friends about you app and all it has to offer, word spreads, leading to more downloading of your app.

Your app can do so many positive things for your business, so start talking it up today.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

Give Customers the Best Mobile Experience Possible

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smartphone-1894723_640How much mobility would you say your business has as the New Year unfolds?

While many businesses are on top of their mobile games, others are woefully dragging behind. For those in the latter group, missed opportunities to connect with consumers and bring in more revenue are but two of the pitfalls of such inaction.

Assuming you do not want to end up in that latter group, it is important that you do all you can to have a sound mobile app presence. When you do, there are many more opportunities to grow your brand and be seen as a leader in your respective niche.

So, are you prepared to give customers the best mobile experience possible?

Being a Frontrunner in Mobile Apps and Marketing

In order for your brand to get as much positive promotions and feedback as possible, being a major player with mobile apps services is important.

With your mobile game in play, you should focus on:

  • Marketing – Having a mobile app in play for your business gives you the opportunity to expand your marketing promotions like never before. Take into account the fact that millions of consumers use their respective mobile devices on a daily basis. As a result, you can literally reach out to them anytime and anywhere. For example, do you have a new special promotion you’d like them to know about? If so, simply sending the message out via your mobile app is a great start. You may decide to throw in a digital coupon offer that saves them money on their purchases. Whatever your promotion is, make sure your mobile marketing messages spell it out loud and clearly;
  • Appearance – Even if you have some of the best products and/or services you want the world to know about, how you put that message out there is important. Keep in mind that mobile devices give you less of a screen view than a regular laptop or desktop computer. As such, if your message doesn’t properly fit on the screen of a mobile device, not only can your brand look unprofessional, but you may not get your entire message out there. Be sure that the design is what you want it to be, giving customers the best user experience possible when viewing your message;
  • Feedback – Finally, expect and accept the consumer feedback you receive regarding your mobile app. Yes, some of it may be critical at times, but take those opportunities as a chance to improve the user experience for consumers. Without ever knowing what they like and do not like, how can you expect to come up with the perfect mobile app? Without duplicating their efforts, also take some time to see how competitors are using their mobile apps to build business. By seeing what kind of feedback they receive from consumers, it will give you a few ideas of what to do and not to do with yours.

Don’t Shortcut Your Brand on Mobility

Lastly, mobile apps are not going anywhere anytime soon, so educate you and your staff on how important they are in growing your brand.

As important as using your mobile app for sales is, don’t forget other options for your app.

For starters, load your app up with relevant content and videos.

When it comes to content, you can provide articles not only talking about your products and services, but what your overall industry is doing.

For example, if you’re a Realtor with a mobile app for business, articles on trends in the real estate market would be quite worthwhile to those individuals and families looking to buy or sell properties. You can (and should) also add videos to the app, something that is usually a sure winner with consumers. By showcasing different properties on your app, potential buyers and sellers can look at different homes and/or condos right in the palm of their hands.

It is safe to say that mobility within your business is important now and will continue so down the road.

When you give customers the best mobile experience possible, they are apt to keep coming back.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Build Mobility for Your Business

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ios-1091302_640

As 2016 nears its close, what sights do you have set on the New Year, allowing you to take your business to new heights?

For some business owners, a new year can mean many new twists and turns. Others, meantime, will play things closer to the vest, looking to not deviate too far from what they have done over the last 12 months.

That said having a business that is not weak when it comes to technology is crucial, especially in a business world where tech is seemingly always playing a part.

So, are you ready to build more mobility for your business as 2017 unfolds?

Where Do You Start?

In the event you feel the need to put more mobility into your business, where do you start?

It is typically best to begin by assessing where your needs are most prevalent.

Are you a business that is behind the curve when it comes to technology? If so, why is that the case?

For some business owners, it comes down to embracing technology, not fearing it for one reason or another.

With the right technology on your side, your business can do myriad of things. Most notably, you can meet the demands of many customers, many of whom are big on technology.

That said does your business have an app? If the answer is no, 2017 would be a great time to come up with one.

If you are wondering about how to make an app, it actually isn’t as hard as one might think.

Whether you make the app in-house or outsource such needs, having that app ready to do business is where you need to get to.

In the event you decide to stay in-house in your efforts to make an app, you may have already hired someone (or more than one individual) more than capable of doing it.

Should you need to go outside for such help, you are best-served by doing some homework, seeing which companies (or even individuals) are qualified to put an app together for you.

Among the areas to look at:

  • How long have they been designing apps?
  • What are the approximate costs for them to design your app?
  • What kind of guarantees will they provide so that you truly get what you pay for (and need)?
  • Will they be available whenever you need them to answer pertinent questions and/or fix any problems your app presents you with?

Once you have the design of your app going, you can then focus on where your app is destined to take you.

Putting Your App to Work

So that you are able to truly understand how a mobile app can catapult your business forward in 2017 and beyond, keep these factors in mind:

  • Numbers – First and foremost, more and more consumers these days are using technology to not only shop for goods and services, but ultimately purchase them. As a result, you’re literally going to be left behind if you do not fully embrace technology. Consumers will also look at your business with more respect when you have your own app, knowing you are staying up to date with the times;
  • Speed – While there are still some businesses out there that avoid technology as much as possible (they seem to become fewer and fewer by the year), many companies love the speed with which technology can bring them together with consumers. That said see how having an app changes the fortunes of your business in many cases. With a successful mobile app in play, you can be in contact literally instantly with many consumers, giving you an opportunity to beat the competition to the punch.

Once you have a handle on how you will build your app, be prepared to move forward with marketing and using it when ready.

In the end, the app will build mobility for your business, something that ultimately should translate into more dollars and cents.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

 

 

Don’t Be Afraid of Technology

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Market.Given all that technology has to offer your brand, why would you in turn run away from it and try to hide?

Unfortunately, there are businesses out there that do just that.

For myriad of reasons, some companies see technology as too cumbersome, too expensive, too much to try and teach their employees. As a result, they miss out on all the great things technology can offer a brand.

That said has your business embraced technology as it should. If not, are you in fact afraid of all technology has to offer?

Consultants Can Make the Difference

For some of those businesses that are afraid of technology, what if they hired consultants to implement and manage such needs?

While some brands may shy away from using consultants, many other companies see much benefit in using men and women who have extensive experience in the world of technology.

With that being the case, how can your business put I.T. consultants to work for you?

Among the ways they can assist:

  1. General website production and upkeep – Your website should know no boundaries when it comes to promoting your brand. That said your website must always be maintained so that not only is it working as it should, but also giving visitors to the site what they need. You can opt for a provider such as Maryland I.T. services or others that are out there, searching for the one best suited to your needs and financial means. Don’t just automatically opt for the one offering the cheapest price. Then again, the most expensive one doesn’t automatically guarantee the best service. When you combine great experience with an affordable price, you typically hit the nail on the head. Speaking of upkeep a minute ago, your site’s I.T. pro or pros should review the website regularly, looking for any errors. Some of the typical gaffes can include 404 errors, pictures that do not match with the content, headline typos etc. While the occasional error may slip through from time to time, a website filled with errors is likely going to give many visitors the wrong opinion about your brand. If they feel like your site is nothing short of a joke, can you really expect them then to fully trust your products and/or services? Don’t let visitors be the ones to routinely find gaffes on your site;
  2. Blog content – Assuming your website offers a blog, that blog is some of your best marketing means available. With the right focus on the blog, you can write and/or include guest posts that revolve around your particular industry. The number one rule here regarding content is that it must be informative and authoritative for the reader, not trying to sell something every other sentence. The content should also have a call to action, thereby leading you to potential sales at each and every opportunity. Finally, the content should be shared (see more below) as often as possible, allowing you to get it in front of as many eyes as possible;
  3. Social promotions – If your website has been lax at promoting itself on social media, that needs to change immediately. Your presence on social networking sites can open so many different doors for your brand, so don’t hesitate to use it. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn etc. are all great tools to give your brand the social exposure it truly needs. Make sure your site has its respective social media icons in an easy to locate area, allowing those wishing to an opportunity to follow you. Yes, some business owners will lament that they have trouble truly figuring out if social media provides a good return on investment (ROI), but the overwhelming evidence shows that it does.

These are but three of the ways I.T. consultants can educate business owners on improving their technology efforts.

If you have been only a so-so player in the world of technology, perhaps it was because you didn’t have the right consultant help available?

When you stop and think about it, technology is only going to get bigger and better in the years to come.

That said don’t be afraid of it and lose out on all sorts of potential business.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and technology items on the web.