What’s at the top of your business goals for the new year?
As a small business owner, you’re likely thinking of ways to improve your business. Did you know a digital transformation is the solution to streamline your business so that you can focus on bringing in more sales?
Yep! But don’t worry, a digital transformation isn’t as overwhelming as it may sound…even for the non-techy types. Follow these 5 expert tips and enjoy moving your business into the future. Moreover, enlist the help of an MSP and let them take the task of digital transformation off your plate so you can focus on running your business.
Digitally Transform Your Business For A Successful Year With These 5 Tips
Step into the new year with an attainable action plan that will elevate your business to new heights.
Contact Brooks IT Services and look forward to a more secure and optimized business in 2023.
1. Offer Remote Or Hybrid Work Options For Better Work-Life Balance
Still commuting to the office every day?
There’s a great debate over whether remote workers are missing the comradery of an office. But depending on who you ask, it’s fair to say that many remote workers value their flexibility and will happily do their jobs without having to go into an office. In fact, 68% of Americans prefer to work remotely. Moreover, 23% would be willing to take a 10% pay cut to ensure a fully remote working future.
This is great for business owners like you because it can save on overhead. Think of all the money you would save without a commercial lease. Plus, offering flexible work hours and/or locations is also a great way to retain employees.
Switching to remote work or offering the option of a hybrid work environment is much easier than many folks used to think. In fact, all you need is to utilize cloud-based software and programs and your employees can work from anywhere. It may surprise you how much productivity increases when your employees are working in a location that suits their needs and lifestyle.
2. Ditch Filing Cabinets & Physical Ledgers
Free up some space in the office by donating those rusty old filing cabinets. Seriously, you don’t need them. And going paperless (or mostly paperless) will save you money when it comes to office supplies, too.
If you don’t think your business could go paperless, talk to one of the many successful remote businesses that store it all in the cloud. Think of all the great ways you can utilize the extra room! Maybe get some lounge chairs for when your employees need a break from their desks.
The point is to digitize your files and ledgers to make room for a workspace design that will inspire and energize your employees!
3. Secure Data From Fires, Floods & Theft
Seriously, if your data isn’t in the cloud, it’s not that secure.
You may think we’re a broken record at this point with talk of storing data in the cloud. But this is all for good reason!
Without the cloud, your data is literally at risk of being destroyed by natural (and human) disasters. Plus, as a Houstonian, the risk of flooding is very real. And anyone that’s ever experienced a Houston hurricane with record breaking flooding is grateful to have come out unscathed.
Moreover, aside from natural disasters, you have to keep bad actors in mind. A thief could literally break into your office and take off with your files and/or in-house server. The simple solution to securing your data and server is to utilize cloud technology.
4. Be Prepared For The Unexpected
After living through an unexpected and historical time period (because of something that rhymes with shmovid), not all businesses made it through. What made a big difference for the businesses that are still thriving is their ability to pivot.
For example, if your business isn’t already remote, could you transition easily? Would you and your employees require training if you were suddenly forced to work from home? Is your software already cloud-based? Or would you need to transition to more accessible programs?
A business continuity and disaster recovery plan is exactly what you need to prepare. However, it is important to realize that business continuity and disaster recovery are two different things.
A business continuity plan is what will keep your business operating in the event of an unexpected event. For instance, remember the 2021 freeze? Many people lost power and water. Gas stations were shut down or had mile-long lines. Getting to work or even working from home simply wasn’t an option for everyone. However, a business continuity plan that includes a generator and safe transportation could keep the business running.
On the flip side, a disaster recovery plan is what will get your business back up and running after an unexpected event forces operations to cease. There’s a lot to cover to prepare for the unexpected. But failing to do so could be detrimental to your business. However, you don’t need to take on this task alone. The team at Brooks IT Services will work with you to ensure your workforce is ready for whatever curveballs (or snowballs) the future may throw.
5. Scalable Software That Will Carry Your Business Into The Future
Did you know that you don’t have to make huge investments now to acquire software that you can still use once your business grows?
Scalable software has become a major player for small, medium, and large businesses alike because of its adaptability. For instance, as a small business owner, you can pay for the software utilities you need now. This will allow you to stay on budget while still having the necessary tools to run your business.
As your business grows, scalable software grows with you. Simply pay for upgrades and additional user profiles as needed. There will be no need to migrate to a more robust infrastructure as your business grows because your software already has all the capabilities you need now and will need in the future.
Take Your Business To The Next Level In 2023 With A Trusted MSP By Your Side
Taking the plunge to digitally transform your business is a great step! However, you need to ensure that network security remains a top priority.
Brooks IT Services is the MSP that small Houston business owners trust to secure, optimize, and transform their businesses. Moreover, because we specialize in small business IT, we can deliver what you need without going over budget.
Ready to transform your business in the new year? Connect with BITS today to get started!