Technology Relevant for Your Customer?

Your customers have evolved in their use of technology.  Has your business kept up with them?

The worldwide pandemic forced the implementation of new systems to continue to communicate with, interact with, or sell to your business’ existing customers.  If you did not take advantage of communication tools, like Zoom, email, or text messages, you probably had a difficult time reaching out to your customers to make sure they were staying safe and to let them know your business was still working, in whatever new form it needed to take.

Since businesses have introduced new technology mechanisms, customers are more adept at using those tools to interact with your business – ask questions, place orders, etc.  How far have you taken your business in terms of technology?  Are you wanting to implement more systems to help your business become easier to do business with?  Do you know how your customer wants to interact with you?

Fear can hold you back from implementing new systems because you don’t understand how they will work, what you want them to do, where to find systems right for your business, where to find help, how will you finance the new system, and more!  If you don’t move forward with systems that your current or new customers expect, your customers will move to other businesses to service their needs.

Ask your customers about how they want to interact with your business.  Learn what problems they have encountered while working with your business.  If you have a large customer base, send a survey across a representative sample of your customer list.  Compile the replies you receive and evaluate the responses.  What do you learn about your business?  Are there areas that need immediate attention?  Maybe changing an existing procedure will improve the situation in the near term.  Use that information for learning about and evaluating systems that can support your business when you talk with potential software vendors.

Get smarter about how to design and implement new systems in your business.  Define what is “required” and what is “nice to have” for a system to work within your business, not solely what a software vendor tells you the system can do.  If you are uncomfortable in your own ability to talk with a software vendor, look for someone who can advocate for you with vendors, and provide you with guidance.  A consultant who you trust, can understand your business, and identify the options/opportunities that systems can bring to your business would be a wise investment.

The financial aspect of a new system must also be considered.  Talk with your accountant to understand savings, and costs, that could be expected from implementing a new computer system.  Financing options should also be part of the conversation.

Many details need answers for a successful systems implementation, but those details don’t have to overwhelm your decision-making process.  Don’t rely on the vendor to provide you answers, they will support you, but they want to make a sale.  Your advocate can help guide you through the process and make recommendations about how to proceed with what is best for your business.

If you want to learn more about how to remain relevant with your customers and systems, click here, complete the form, and schedule a call to talk with Laurette.