New technology can help businesses bring their data together, be more responsive to customers, and be more efficient. For example, cloud-based software can make it easier for businesses to access and share data across different departments, and customer relationship management (CRM) software can help businesses track customer interactions and improve customer service.
A study from Harvard Business Review also found that more than half of all managers and executives say it’s increasingly common for job candidates to consider an employer’s technology before taking a job. And among companies that say it’s difficult for staff to use technology to communicate, 72% say that their outdated technology is making it hard to retain employees.
The single most requested technology upgrade is more self-service access to critical data. This far outranks better technical support or even a bring-your-own-device policy. If you’ve ever started work at a new job only to find out the company is much less efficient than your previous employer, you know how maddening this can be.
This is why it’s important to periodically assess your technology, benchmarking your position against that of your competitors. In addition to ensuring data integrity and corporate efficiency, it can also ensure that your company can continue to attract and retain employees who refuse to be held back by inefficient technology, processes, or knowledge management.
Here are some specific examples of how new technology can help businesses:
- Bring data together: Cloud-based data warehouses can help businesses store and access data from all of their different systems in one place. This can make it easier to analyze data and identify trends.
- Be more responsive to customers: CRM software can help businesses track customer interactions and preferences. This can help businesses provide better customer service and resolve customer issues more quickly.
- Be more efficient: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software can help businesses automate many of their back-office processes, such as accounting and inventory management. This can free up employees to focus on more strategic tasks.
How to get started with technology upgrades
If you’re thinking about upgrading your technology, there are a few things you can do to get started:
- Assess your current technology: Take a close look at your existing technology and identify any areas where it’s outdated or inefficient.
- Research new technology solutions: There are a wide variety of new technology solutions available. Do some research to find the solutions that best meet your needs and budget.
- Develop a plan: Once you’ve identified the technology solutions you want to implement, develop a plan for how you will do it. This plan should include a timeline, budget, and communication plan.
- Implement the new technology solutions: Once you have a plan in place, you can start implementing the new technology solutions. Be sure to communicate with your employees throughout the process and provide them with training on how to use the new systems.
Technology upgrades can be a daunting task, but they are essential for businesses that want to stay competitive and attract top talent. By following the tips above, you can make the process easier and more successful.
To learn how WingSwept can help your organization optimize technology to help you recruit and retain top talent, call us at (919) 600-5190 or email us at Team_WingSwept@WingSwept.com.