Tech literacy isn’t what it used to be with the constant evolution of online programs, portable devices, and software tools. That means incorporating technology into your small business is no longer solely about typing up documents on Microsoft Word, keeping inventory with Excel spreadsheets, or sending emails. If this is still your style, we’ll explain why conducting a digital transformation is key.
What Is Digital Literacy?
Tech or digital literacy is the ability of a business owner and all employees to use computers or phones to access the Internet for various reasons. That includes using technology for everything, from creating and sharing information to managing your company’s online identity and digital safety.
However, a business’s technology literacy level is only as good as its modernity. So, company owners should always stay aware of recent trends and updates that change or enhance how they use their systems and run their businesses. Below, we’ll explain why being proactive about literacy levels improves the efficiency and growth of SMBs.
Streamlining Business Processes with the Right Digital Tools
Every business has certain processes that prove redundant and tedious, taking up an employee’s valuable time. With tech literacy and the right digital tools like business process automation, smart technology like AIs conduct task automation while eliminating human error and the need for employee interference.
For example, automated chat boxes assist customers with common questions and light tasks like returns and refunds, so customers receive help instantly. Live representatives have more time for intricate issues like customer complaints or tech support. Similarly, small business owners can trust this system with inventory management, invoicing, sales processing, and more.
Managing Employees and Customers
Business owners use automation for many employee processes, such as task distribution (where a system divides assignments and projects for employees based on their current workload) and employee onboarding (where a platform trains new recruits and gets them up to speed). Partnering this with employee monitoring software lets owners track worker activity and progress in real-time.
However, it’s not just employees that need tracking. Company owners use analytics tools like customer relationship management to track customer patterns (such as browsing and search histories) to understand customer preferences better. They also track sales and revenue from anywhere, gaining customer insight so the business owner can adjust marketing efforts and inventory accordingly.
Improving Online Brand Awareness
Digital technologies also help owners improve brand awareness. For instance, by learning the Google algorithm requirements, like positive and negative keyword integration, owners can rank higher than their competitors on SERPs for more visibility. Adding their company to Google Maps also draws potential clients looking for nearby companies.
Furthermore, company owners conduct research to uncover their key demographic so they know how to create marketing campaigns that are more successful. On a smaller scale, social media-targeted ads for a specific product or service turn cold leads warm and remind individuals of their abandoned carts to increase sales and revenue.
So, do your SMB a favor by increasing your tech literacy level today!
