Although technology has impacted small businesses in both positive and negative ways for years, things are about to change. Small businesses are starting to make greater waves in industries that were previously held by big business. They are also changing the effect they have on change, public opinion, and their local communities. If you’re a small business owner or hoping to jump-start your business soon, take a moment to consider how these major changes will impact your business.
Losing the Traditional Workspace
Large companies have been choosing freelance, contract, or work-from-home employees for years. While small businesses aren’t using the same model, mostly because they can’t afford to misplace their trust in a bad hire, they are exploring alternatives. Now you see service-based businesses such as heating and air repair companies delivering parts to their technician’s homes. Then their employees sign in as soon as they leave the house and go straight to their first service call. Service businesses are using creative alternatives like this to cut down time spent in the office, and increase the time they spend with their customers.
The Use of ERPs
More so than larger scale companies, small businesses can’t afford to waste money ‘testing’ software solutions. But one thing that many business owners can agree on is that it’s worth it to invest in an ERP. An ERP is an Enterprise Resource Planning system, and it can do everything from track and manage your inventory to record customer service interactions. It’s a practical tool that should be scalable so it can grow with your company, or stay fit for your small business. Many people are crediting ERPs with increased productivity, a focus on tangible results, and an increase in strategic decision-making.
Greater Freedom with Banking
Maybe it’s the economy, and maybe it’s the new names in the banking industry, but small businesses have better choices when it comes to choosing who to hold their accounts. They can choose old-school style brick-and-mortar banks or opt for regional credit unions. Of course, the new kid on the scene in banking is the online-only banking options which rely on ATMs and self-managed services. For a tech-savvy business owner, it could be a way to save a ton by avoiding many traditional banking fees. The last few years have foretold this change as fewer than 5% of businesses are relying on SBA loans.
Service Businesses Are Shining
From pet care to lawn care, you can bet to find tech-savvy, future-oriented, and overall friendly service businesses near you. Check out this Atlanta lawn care service that helps their customers even without a guarantee that they’ll book a service. They help with the answers they need fast to questions like, how often should I mow my lawn? They also tell people, down to the minute when it’s the best time to water their yard. Giving this information away for free doesn’t cost them a thing, and it builds their credibility. The approach of educating the customer has helped service businesses that were failing ten years ago regain their ground in the small business world. People are willing to hire experts, and if they see that these experts are willing to share helpful information, they’ll be the ones getting the call for an appointment.
