New technologies are flooding the market every day, yet there are still plenty of companies that resist integrating them into their business. Perhaps they are afraid of making the wrong decision or spending too much money.
Maybe they are skeptical about how it will work for their unique needs. Or they may think that it just isn’t necessary. However, in order to stay competitive, every business needs to consider how technology can help them grow and be more productive. Here is a look at five reasons why a business that does not work to incorporate the latest workplace technologies are doing themselves a great disservice.
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They Can’t Provide Efficient Customer Service
A huge part of quality customer service comes down to the company’s ability to communicate effectively with their customers.
They need to be able to respond to issues quickly, and customers need to be able to find the information they need, when they need it, even when the business itself is closed. With an up-to-date website, customers can easily find answers to the most common questions and look up store hours and directions.
Even better if customers and visitors to the website have access to live chat. With email and social media channels, companies can respond quickly to all concerns and questions and maintain a positive brand image. These technologies are expected by today’s consumers and are no longer optional.
They Waste Time and Money
There are so many technologies that help companies streamline their workflow and save time and money in the process. Companies can integrate warehouse inventory trackers to eliminate the need to manually count products. Digital displays can be used to display real-time data on the production lines, creating greater efficiency.
Executives can hold virtual town hall meetings to reach all employees company-wide, without having to travel. Managers can quickly communicate to all employees with a digital signage system. Document management technology can improve collaboration efforts and eliminate the need for huge warehouses for document storage. The list goes on and on: technology makes every process smoother, faster, and less prone to errors.
They Can’t Communicate Properly with Their Employees
Whether a company has hundreds of employees across multiple locations or a small staff in one office, communication is vital. Yet, if a company is still relying on printed memos to spread important messages, time is being wasted in distributing them, money is being wasted in making the copies, and data is being missed due to lost papers.
With technology, such as an electronic bulletin board, companies can quickly communicate a wide array of messages. Because it’s a visual communication channel, employees are more likely to take notice. They can relay important company announcements and regulatory updates to make sure the company stays compliant. They can notify employees of new products, customers, and company highlights. And it’s a very effective tool for boosting morale by showcasing employee recognition and reward programs.
They Can’t Provide Enough Security
Today’s consumers are keenly aware of the risks of giving away their personal data. As such, they are doing research before doing business with a company to make sure that their personal information will be protected with appropriate privacy policies.
Without a technologically advanced security system in place, companies simply cannot give their customers this peace of mind. Additionally, companies need to access current technology to protect their own data using secure backups, hack-proof firewalls, etc. to make sure they don’t become victims of an attack.
They Can’t Research Effectively
In order to grow and flourish, research is vital. Whether it’s polling customers, researching new business opportunities or performing market research on their target market, new technologies offer many options for gathering and analyzing information. Without leaving the office, companies can host virtual focus groups with customers or potential prospects, perform A/B testing through online marketing and so much more.
Even though technology may seem intimidating and expensive, its ROI is clear. With technology, a company can provide superior customer service, save time and money, communicate in a proactive way with their employees, make sure the company’s data stays secure, perform thorough research, and so much more.
Without technology, a company will lose its competitive edge, customers will lose trust, and the business will lose profits due to ineffective processes. So get on the technology train today before it’s too late. While there is a learning curve, once you are onboard, you will be so glad you bought the ticket.