Tech Innovations to Consider as a Small Business Owner

As a small business owner, you need to take advantage of the latest tech innovations if you want to stay relevant and competitive.

07:53 09 September 2021

Even the most seasoned entrepreneur needs to find a way to stay on top of the ever-evolving tech world. As these innovations move forward it is important to keep your finger on the pulse of these changes and identify what does and does not make sense for your business. Regardless of what you decide to adopt and what you determine does not fit keep a high level of awareness so that you can stay relevant and competitive. 

 

Fleet Management Software

The boom within the logistics industry as of late is impossible to ignore. Having said that, you should also expect that those who find the most success within this niche have learned a few tricks along the way. One of which is embracing technology in the form of fleet management software. Formally many trucking companies managed all their fleets needs by hand, and in today’s world, and with the pace of the market, that is simply an outdated practice that does not support growth or sustainability. Installing dash cams in all vehicles is a great way to monitor productivity, mitigate any maintenance issues, or create a layer of protection for you and your staff in the midst of crisis. You can review a guide on how to select the best dash cams on the market and learn about how all these advantages can bring your tech game up to date. 

 

Mobile Apps

Creating a mobile app for your business is a savvy way to create a user-friendly experience for both new and returning customers. Think about the service you provide, or the goods that you sell, and that will help you mold the overall concept for what you hope this mobile app will accomplish. There are of course things to consider when developing a mobile app for your business so be sure to do your research. You will want to outsource what you and your team cannot handle because one of the worst things you can do is launch an app and find out the hard way that you made mistakes in the development stages that impede its success. 

 

Cloud Based HR 

If your small business has not yet explored a cloud-based system, honestly, what are you waiting for? These programs make it exponentially easier for your HR managers to monitor employee’s productivity while also providing convenience to your workforce. Some of the elements that can be made easier through cloud-based HR systems include:

 

• Recruitment
• Onboarding
• Training
• Data Analytics
• Payroll
• Remote Work
• Project Sharing 

 

Many of the top HR software platforms will provide you with real world examples of how these solutions improve operations and why they are worth the investment of your money and your time. 

 

AI Chatbots

This is a suggestion that will likely follow the implementation of other tech-based solutions as it is typically more involved, set up wise, than some of the simpler suggestions we mentioned previously. In the spirit of forward thinking though, it will not hurt to become familiar with AI technology, including the use of chatbots, so that once you have laid the groundwork you can just flip the switch and move forward. AI chatbots will engage with customers using a conversational tone and help them with simple tasks that would otherwise weigh down your customer service staff. This can cut operational costs significantly and you can also incorporate AI chatbots into your plans for your mobile app once you reach that stage in your tech journey.