The beauty of owning a business in this day and age is the technology that’s available. Some tools are designed specifically to boost productivity while others help to eliminate downtime and reduce the risk of human error. If you’re looking for newer, better ways to streamline your business and maximize company efficiency (and your bottom line), here are a few tricks of the trade.
Virtual Phone Systems
This one seems like a no-brainer, right? How much time does your team currently waste transferring calls and asking callers to dial different numbers? You might be surprised at how quickly that number adds up. Installing a virtual phone system with IVR can ensure that incoming calls are automatically directed to the right person every time. They also enable your staff to work remotely, which has been proven to boost efficiency levels.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
In the digital age, relationships are more important than ever before. But keeping track of customer interactions manually can be incredibly cumbersome. CRM software automates this process so your employees don’t have to waste precious time juggling spreadsheets and managing massive databases. Essentially, this frees up workers to focus their efforts on more important, revenue-generating tasks.
Project Management Software
Imagine how much time and energy you’d save if you could get a snapshot of what everyone is working on in one central dashboard. This is one of the biggest benefits of project management software applications. Create projects, assign tasks, set deadlines and track progress all in one convenient place. This establishes a much more efficient workflow for everyone.
At Hatchbuck we use Basecamp and Trello, but there are loads of other options out there for businesses large and small.
Cloud-Based Data Storage
Keeping all of your data in the cloud ensures that any piece of information your employees need at any given moment can be quickly and easily accessed from anywhere. Rather than having to share electronic files via email or shuffle through physical documents, cloud-based storage solutions keep everything in one centralized location. Add to this the ability to collaborate virtually in real-time and your efficiency will skyrocket.
Employee Engagement Apps
Companies with engaged employees outperform their competition by as much as 202%. Why? Because engaged employees are focused on their work, committed to the company’s success and more likely to stay loyal to an employer for a longer period of time. Employee engagement apps like Bonfyre and 15Five can help keep workers plugged in, foster stronger relationships and even promote healthy competition. The more engaged your team is, the better your company will perform as a whole.
Without question, efficient business practices lead to greater profitability. The tools listed above should help you streamline your operations, optimize time and effort, and create a much more productive environment that will generate future success for your business.