Technology owners should be fully embracing technology and its many uses to help bolster positive relationships and boost productivity. The wide array of technology, tools, and applications have drastically changed what it means to be a small business owner and operator. Below are 5 best practices for small business owners looking to better utilize technology.

1. Don’t hinder productivity with meetings 

There is nothing more infamous than the office meeting. A common complaint among work forces everywhere are the unnecessary onslaught of meetings. Meetings in the busy climate of a tech company can be both cumbersome and counterproductive. Elon Musk perfectly articulates this point-

“Excessive meetings are the blight of companies and almost always get worse over time. Please get [out] of all large meetings, unless you’re certain they are providing value to the whole audience, in which case keep them very short.”

Meetings are obviously still a vital part of a healthy company. Just ensure the meeting is worth everyone’s time and the information being shared is essential to helping the business grow.

2. SEO is your best friend 

In the digital world of today it doesn’t matter how good your product is, how innovative your service is, or how revolutionary your technology is, if nobody knows you exist as a company. Online visibility is not only important, its essential in growing business and brand awareness. Every business should be learning the basics of Search Engine Optimization, more commonly known as SEO. Search engine optimization is the process of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through search engine results. The core philosophy of SEO is to ensure online visibility is maximized and that your online business is the thriving marketplace that it should be.

For those new to SEO, or if you’d like to learn more check out this quick SEO guide from Moz.

3. Take Advantage of Time Tracking Software

It is highly recommended that your company utilize the services of time tracking software. The ability to precisely measure time spent on projects and initiatives allows for accurate billing and proper management of goals. Knowing exactly where your time is or isn’t going can be truly invaluable information. Good news is there are a ton of time tracking tools out there and most won’t break the bank.

4. Start Blogging as Soon as Possible 

Blogging has become an underrated strategy that can help take huge strides in expanding customer engagement, reaching new audiences, and helps convey who you are as a company. A consistent blogging strategy has been shown to result in 67% more leads every month. If you’re not putting out content related to business or target audience you’re truly missing out on business opportunities. An effective blogging strategy also goes hand in hand with an effective SEO strategy which is another example of how blogs can integrate into your larger strategy.

5. AI for better customer service

As artificial technologies continue to rapidly advance, so have their applications. One such application that may intrigue an over worked business owner is the use of chatbots and machine learning for a whole host of benefits. Chatbots can improve usability and are extremely cost-effective and allows for customer service around the clock or set at designated times allowing for complete flexibility. See how chat bots could revolutionize how you do customer service here.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2017/03/21/how-chatbots-will-transform-customer-experience-an-infographic/2/&refURL=&referrer=#637cb9485100

https://www.slideshare.net/toprank/war-of-words-mythbusting-social-media-seo-content-marketing

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomaslaurinavicius/2016/12/20/time-tracking-tools/#572f084f1f4b

https://moz.com/learn/seo/what-is-seo

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/elon-musks-productivity-rules-according-to-tesla-email.html