Tech Made Simple: Boosting Your Business Using Technology

e-Business Now Founding Partners

Agenda for Today’s Session

In this lesson, we will:Examine technology myths and realities

Assess your business’ most pressing needs and goalsExplore how various technology solutions could help you achieve your business goals

Technology Myths and Realities

Common Technology Myths

“Small businesses can’t afford technology.”

“Technology can’t do what it promises. I’ve been burned before by false technology promises.”

“Technology will put my business at risk. My customer data/trade secrets will be stolen.”

“My problem isn’t with technology, it’s with getting my customers to pay. Technology can’t help with that.” “My product/service can’t be sold using technology.”

Myth #1

“Small businesses can’t afford technology.”

How much does technology cost?

What are the individual components of technology that would help solve your business challenges and how much would that solution cost? What is the cost associated with not using technology to help your business succeed?

Reality #1

Case Study: Grill Company

Problem: Seeking new, younger customers

Solution: Online marketing/advertising

Targeted online ads

Facebook page

Cost: Ads vary; Facebook free

Results: Sales increased 1,000 percent in 4 years

Myth #2

“Technology can’t do what it promises. I’ve been

burned before by false technology promises.” How were you “burned?”

What caused you to feel that you were burned? What did you not achieve from a business perspective?

What obstacles prevented you from succeeding? Was it the fault of the technology solution?

Reality #2

Case Study: Regional magazine publisher

Problem: “Burned” by outsourcing custom website design;

lost $6,000Solution: Revise plans, check references, simplify site design

Cost: $3,000

Results: Site achieved user goals

Myth #3

“Technology will put my business at risk. My

customer data/trade secrets will be stolen.” Why do I feel that technology isn’t safe for my business? What specifically is unsafe about technology?

What would make me feel secure about integrating a technology solution into my business?

How can I keep my business safe and secure?

Reality #3

Case Study: Women’s clothing retailer

Problem: Concerns about e-commerce security

Solution: Secure online transactions via encryption and SSL Computer and network firewalls

Automatic updates of virus protection software/security patches

Results: Sales without security breaches

Train staff in security policies

Myth #4

“My problem isn’t with technology; it’s with

getting my customers to pay.” Why aren’t your customers paying?

What would help them to pay you?

What process or procedures do you have in place to

collect payment today? As you look to your processes and procedures that you currently have in place, can you see any areas where you could automate or streamline the process to make it more effective, efficient, and timely?

Reality #4

Case Study: Martial arts studio

Problem: Accounting on paper, slow payers, many price points

Solution: QuickBooks Pro software

Cost: about $200

Results: Days A/R outstanding went from 70 to 29; converted 35 percent of month-to-month customers to annual membership

Myth #5

“My product/service can’t be sold using technology.”

What is your product or service?

How is it sold today?

What would you have to change in the way you do business in order to sell twice as much this year as last year?

What would you need in order to sell your product or service using technology?

Reality #5

Case Study: Furniture studio

Problem: Slumping sales, no customers

Solution: Adding e-commerce capabilities

Multiple points of contact with customers

Marketing via e-newsletter

Cost: $9,000 for site; $30/month for newsletter

Results: Sales increased 1,000 percent in 4 years

Assessing Your Technology Needs

Using a Business Process Map

Identify all of the tasks that you complete in the average day,

week, and month for your business. Be specific

Be thorough

Include as many details as you can

Goals, Results & Solutions

The Goals, Results & Solutions model helps you navigate

your way to the perfect technology solution for your business.

Step 1: Determine Business Goals

Do you have a

clear vision of your

business goals?

Examples of goals might include: Reduce costs Grow sales Increase market share Maximize profits Expand operations Reduce inefficiencies Improve customer service Speed collection of accounts receivable Improve inventory management Attract more/better customers

Results

GoalsSolution

s

Step 2: Align Goals with Results

Broaden my Customer Base

Increase visibility of my brand

Grow market share

Increase sales

Grow my business

Step 3: Identify Solutions

Results

GoalsSolution

s Broaden my

Customer Base

Increase visibility of my brand

Grow market share

Increase sales

Grow my business

Solutions

• Launch a website to highlight my product or service

Use social media to get the word out about my business

Provide an e-commerce tool to allow easy payment options for purchase

Offer a collaboration tool to allow customers to provide feedback

Translating Business Goals Into Technology Solutions

What are your business goals? Attract more/better customers Increase sales Improve cash flow Improve inventory management Speed collection of accounts receivable Improve employee management Reduce costs Reduce inefficiencies Improve customer service

Translating Business Tasks Into Technology Solutions

Using your Business Process Map worksheet, highlight the

tasks that directly link to the 3 top business goals you hope to

achieve this year. What patterns do you see?

Where are you spending your time?

Is this moving you closer to your goals?

How can technology help you focus on your most important tasks?

Module In Review

In today’s session we:Examined technology myths and realities

Assessed your business’ most pressing needs and goalsExplored how various technology solutions could help you achieve your business goals

Next Steps

How-To Guides

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Tech Made Simple: Boosting Your Business Using Technology