Leverage Technology to Increase Productivity

If you are looking to increase productivity (and who isn’t?), consider upgrading the use of technology in your business. Implementing and learning to use new software and hardware will be well worth the investment of your time. Just ask one of the many trailblazing small business owners who have already done so. Here are three options:

• Mobile Apps
  • According to a recent survey conducted by TechnoMetrica for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, an estimated 1.28 million small business owners are saving 372.8 million owner hours a year by using mobile applications or “apps”. They’re also saving an estimated $17.6 billion on employee payroll. [1]
  • Mobile apps allow you to perform a variety of office functions from your mobile device, leading to increased revenue and more time to devote to other tasks.

• Cloud Storage
  • Have you heard of the cloud? It’s what we call online or virtual servers that store your information so that it can be readily accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. It also ensures that your data is protected in the case of computer failure.
  • A recent survey by cloud provider Egnyte, Inc. reveals that small businesses have led the trend toward cloud file storage, but larger businesses are starting to follow suit.[2]

• Social Media
  • In the past few years social media has emerged as a great way to quickly and cheaply advertise your business and increase your marketing scope. The key is not only to have a presence in media networks like Facebook but to incorporate it into your marketing plans.
  • According to The Business Journal, 68% of business owners over 40 use a social network, but only 47% incorporate social media into their marketing plans.[3] Put your business above the crowd by making social media work for you!

[1] “Saving Time and Money with Mobile Apps.” May 2011. .Conducted April 21-27, 2011. A total of 304 surveys were completed with an overall margin of error of +/-5.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

[2] “Small Businesses Trail Blazers in Cloud Storage.” June 6, 2011. . 6,500 users were surveyed across the United States, and 4.5 million file operations were tracked in a 24-hour period.

[3] “What’s Age Got to Do With It? Plenty.” June 6, 2011. .