Investing in technology can be an arduous task for most business owners. But if done correctly, information and communications technology (ICT) can be a game-changer for your operation. It can boost productivity; enhance sales, and even open up new markets.
Here are 6 new year’s resolutions to help ensure your business reaps the benefits.
1. Review & Create a new online strategy
Be objective and review your current ICT strategy. How are your processes and systems performing? Where could you improve your organization’s competitiveness by adopting new technology? Decide on what systems should be optimized and which new ones you should add/remove to meet your strategic goals. How can you tie in your processes with your website? A well-defined online strategy will help ensure your investments in this area pay off with greater sales and enhanced customer experiences.
2. Optimize your website
What are the goals of your website? Is it to inform visitors? or sell products online? How does your internet presence tie into your overall business plan?
Your company’s virtual storefront is your website. Yet, many sites are poorly designed or don’t speak to the overall business strategy. Ensure sure your site isn’t information-heavy and requires needless scrolling or clicking to discover pertinent information. Boldly feature your call to action(s) or contact details. In addition, get assistance and ensure the site is optimized to rank well on Internet searches that are of importance to your business.
3. Get busy on social media
The famous dialogue in The Shawshank Redemption could not be more true today for businesses on social media. “Get busy living or get busy dying” – Implement a social media strategy, starting with tracking what’s being said about your business. If you haven’t done so already, create a presence on the main social media sites to mark your territory, manage your brand and engage with your customers. – Get busy living. Remember: Social media is about soft selling – also known as “marketing”. Aim to interact with your audience by being helpful and supportive. Aggressive selling is a complete turn-off.
4. Engage employees
Involve your employees throughout major ICT planning and decisions to ensure that they buy in to your strategy as well receive valuable expertise and knowledge about your business. Keep in mind that your employees are also consumers, and their perspective is of utmost importance.
5. Review Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Productivity tools
Think about a CRM system to help ensure you understand your customers better and capitalize on sales opportunities. It will help you centralize all customer information, give customers more personalized service and follow up properly with prospects. Integrating this with your internet presence will streamline many tasks and automate your marketing strategies. Depending on your industry you may consider implementing productivity-enhancing tools. Examples include clock-in software, inventory management systems, delivery management, or full-fledged supply chain management systems. Look at possible integrations with your online sales and fulfillment processes such as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system – It’s all-purpose software with modules for everything from accounting to inventory, human resources, finances, and operations.
6. Keep on top of tech security
Be sure you have an ICT security policy covering such areas as acceptable use, password guidelines, security practices, and rules for downloading documents and software. Then make sure it’s followed throughout your company. Also, be sure to back up internet and website data regularly.
At CodeTactic Media Inc. we are focused on providing the most complete digital marketing tools for your business to be completely covered from your social media exposure to your online platform and systems. Understanding and making your goals ours is what makes us different and what helps our clients succeed regardless of the industry.
