Are you thinking about how to improve your business in 2024? If so, then it’s worth exploring the concept of modernisation. If you make your business more modern, then you will immediately make it more appealing to a modern audience eager to buy from your company. You can also future proof your business by putting the right systems and solutions in place each from day one. So, let’s explore some of the key factors that should be part of your plans for modernisation and the steps you will need to take to hit the mark.
Security
First, you should think about the concept of security as a way to improve your business. Security has become a hot topic because issues with security and data in particular have become more common. There are lots of different steps that you can take to improve your security protocols and protect your clients. Here are the key options we recommend.
Why do you need security?
It’s important to understand why you need security to effectively run your business. There are a few points to consider here. First, with the right security in place, you will be protecting your customers and clients from a potential financial disaster. This is also ultimately going to improve your bottom line and ensure that you are keeping your brand identity as healthy as possible in the long run. However, this isn’t the only reason why you need security. You also need protection to ensure that your business doesn’t fall victim to something like a ransom attack. If this does occur, then it could end up costing your business thousands in the future.
What security features are the right choice?
There are lots of different modern security options that you can explore. Ideally, you should invest in an IT support solution. The best IT support service will monitor your business for issues with your security protocols and guarantee that you are taking the right steps to fix them.
In terms of other security options, you could also consider setting up a remote security system if you are managing a full office address. In doing so, you can always gain peace of mind that your business is protected in the long term.
How much will it cost?
It’s difficult to say how much the right security standards will cost your business as it depends on the size of your company, the industry, and the level of risk. However, in general, you should expect to spend at least 5% of your budget on security and potentially more than this.
AI
Another factor to think about when improving your business is new technology and in particular AI. Let’s explore what AI is, why it matters, how it could benefit your business and some of the key traps that you absolutely need to avoid here.
What Is AI?
AI refers to artificial intelligence and the term covers everything from a self-driving car to chat GPT. However, it’s worth noting that there are different levels of AI and different perspectives in terms of what it can achieve and the power it could have. The general consensus is that if businesses avoid it completely, they are going to be left behind in the dust.
Why is AI important?
AI is important because it can be used to improve productivity and efficiency, while delivering a better service and a more effective solution to customers and clients in the long term.
In terms of how to effectively use AI, you need to think about the scope of the tool you are utilizing. For instance, you could be using an AI content creation tool. While this is a smart choice, it should only be used to create draft content which you can then improve on and ensure that you provide the human touch.
What are the dangers of AI?
While Ai is certainly beneficial, there are also dangers to be aware of. For instance, you can’t over utilize these tools as this will lead to a lower quality solution that your customers and clients will ultimately end up hating. You could even lose profitability.
Is AI Expensive?
AI solutions are expensive but they are also becoming more scalable for smaller businesses. They are also becoming more integrated into lots of different platforms and solutions. As such, you should have no problem finding the right option for your business.
Connectivity
Another factor worth exploring is connectivity. By keeping your business connected, you can guarantee that you are providing a greater service to your clients and even increase productivity at the same time. So, how do you keep your business connected?
Keeping your business connected will often mean important steps like exploring a cloud management software. The right cloud management software will mean that you can always stay up to date with different tasks and projects while managing your business remotely. Tools like Roll off software are key for specific industries too. While cloud tools aren’t a new idea and have been around for nearly a decade now, there are still a lot of businesses that aren’t reaching the maximum potential that these options provide.
As such, it is absolutely worth exploring the different options available to find the best cloud service that fits with the needs of your business.
Other Options To Keep Your Business Connected
Cloud solutions are only one of the options you can use to keep your business connected and improve productivity. You could also explore tools such as video calling solutions like Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is a great choice if you are managing a remote business or using a hybrid work model. In doing so, you can keep everyone on your team on the same page.
Marketing
The world of marketing has changed over the years and while the tried and true methods are as relevant as ever, there are new techniques that are worth exploring as well.
A lot of companies are now exploring the world of video marketing. You create a video and upload it to your site, this gives clients and customers a more personal experience. They will know what you are about as a business and what your goals are. Welcome them to your business in a way they understand and you could have returning customers.
Another great tried and tested marketing strategy still happens to be email marketing. A lot of people frown upon this but if it gets you visitors and sales then it clearly works. Email marketing is all about finding what your potential and existing customers and clients are interested in. For instance, you could send a mass email regarding an upcoming sale. You could even send an email out to your regular customers inviting them to shop at your VIP event before you open it up to the general public.
If you don’t have a marketing team under your roof then you could either hire one or work with outside agencies. Using marketing agencies can be a great way to save money within your company. They will listen to your ideas and create amazing content, blogs, websites, and videos for you to use across your site.
Sustainability
Finally, you should think about sustainability. Surveys reveal that customers are more interested than ever about which businesses are achieving the right sustainability goals and if these match their individual requirements.
Customers are shopping much more with businesses who give something back to the environment. For example, there are companies who will plant trees for every order received. While this may be out of your budget you could still do other things.
How To Improve Your Sustainability
There are lots of steps that you can take to improve your sustainability standards. For instance, you could think about investing in renewable power solutions such as solar panels. Solar panels used to be expensive but these days they will fit into the budget of most businesses in the long term.
This is just one possibility. There are a few others to consider as well. For instance, you could also think about your packaging choices. Sustainable packaging solutions are a smart option because it means that you can cut the costs of your logistic services and position your business so that it is clear you do care about the planet and key environmental concerns of tomorrow.
Dangers Of Sustainability?
The only real danger of making your business more sustainable is greenwashing. Empty actions will always reflect negatively on your brand identity in the long term.
We hope this helps you understand the best ways to modernize your business. In doing so, you can guarantee that your company is more appealing to customers and clients. Modernization will also mean that your business is more attractive to shareholders which is key if you are eager to grow your company in the future.
If you are worried about the cost of modernizing your business, then do be aware that there are ways to scale solutions which will be perfect for small companies as well as solopreneurs.
