Technology is one of the primary driving forces of businesses. It makes things a lot more efficient, and one person can now accomplish tasks that once took a lot of manpower. In some instances, it doesn’t even need to be manned at all.
But as we go deeper into the 21st century, we’re developing more and more technology that makes our jobs easier. What other innovations await us? Below are some ideas.
Chat Over Email for Customer Service
Businesses have long used email for communication and dissemination of tasks. However, with breakthroughs in tech, the traditional format of ‘mail’ has begun to change. Modern technology offers quick response times or real-time responses through Instant Messaging apps like Facebook Messenger. This doesn’t mean email is useless. Being active on chat applications can be a huge advantage over other businesses that still prefer the old-school style of emailing back and forth for days. Customers appreciate a business that is always readily available when they are needed.
Multi-channel Approach to Customer Communication
Instant Messaging apps aren’t the only avenues for customers and clients to reach businesses. Your physical store, for example, should always have employees who are trained and ready to take on any client concerns. Other than directly going to your business, there are also third-party review sites where clients can post their opinions about your business, and as a business, you should be able to find and respond to these posts.
Work from Home Is the New Normal
Last year’s pandemic has opened the possibility of a hybrid work setup where some employees can work from home, and others work at the office. Many businesses are now studying this, and the possibility of remote work being a norm is very much clear. Interestingly enough, reports have shown that many employees find themselves more efficient and productive when working from home. Of course, it’s ultimately on a per individual basis, but as such, individuals who can accomplish more at home are better off working remotely than struggling in the office.
Using AI to Make Work Easier
Adopting AI tech into business models isn’t what the movies warned us about. Tech isn’t here to take over our jobs, but instead, it’s here to assist us and make our work lives much easier. AI can mean automation for manufacturing businesses or helping customers through chat, even in the middle of the night when you’re sleeping. No longer are employees forced to do droning and repetitive tasks- these can be wholly automated thanks to AI. It’s already in effect through chatbots and other similar software, as it negates the need for human interference to answer the most basic of customer queries.
Customer Service Through Social Media
Because social media has become a household name and practically everyone has at least one social media account, there is no doubt that businesses can benefit from these platforms. Being on social media can give your company a lot of advantages. For one, you can increase your company’s visibility through various platforms on the internet and reach markets outside of your locality. Also, being on different social media platforms allow you to be accessible to different target segments: TikTok to reach the young crowd, Facebook for the parents, LinkedIn for other professionals.
Operating Cost Benefits
At first, integrating technology into your business might seem intimidating finance-wise, but it’s actually the contrary. As mentioned, automation can help your business and your employees. Instead of manually doing repetitive back-end tasks, have a program that can run a script to quickly and accurately do the tasks instead. Not only will you be saving funds, but you’ll also be saving time.
Private Information Security
Because of how technology has provided us conveniences, it could become a high-risk situation, especially when a company deals with a lot of sensitive information. Some services can potentially be a risk in this sense, but thankfully, tech also has solutions for it. There are data security services available. Your business employees should be trained in this aspect. There are what is called information governance and e-Discovery for tools like Slack that your IT and Legal departments should be trained in, and these are not something to put off.
As long as technology keeps improving, there will be more ways to make your business operations more efficient. The important thing here is that businesses remain open to these innovations and improvements. Through these technological innovations, businesses are better positioned to take advantage of the improvements in efficiency and make their operations much more productive.
