Today, business and technology are linked in a way they never were before.
That is why it’s essential for business leaders to understand technological innovations. It’s the only way we’ll figure out the best ways to utilize and seamlessly integrate tech into our businesses. Great business leaders understand this essential truth and are constantly seeking to upgrade their technology.
Here are 10 ways brilliant business leaders are using technology to blow past the competition.
1. They are not afraid of change and are constantly seeking to innovate
As Steve Jobs said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
The risk of not moving forward can be just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than seeking to innovate too quickly. After years of profit loss and stagnation, Apple began to take risks in the early 2000s. They created entirely new markets with their technology, and the rest is history.
But you don’t have to be a Apple to do what they did. Plenty of companies are finding ways to stay ahead of the curve by utilizing new tools to make their business more competitive.
2. They understand the Cloud and how to use it effectively
The development of the Cloud has made businesses much more efficient. Now you can save files and access them from any device while working on the go. This allows both startups and enterprise companies to share data. It ensures smooth communication between departments.
But the best part about the Cloud is that it’s scalable. It allows businesses to grow and pay for storage services according to their budget. A great example of this is Netflix, which use Cloud storage services to handle an incredible volume of internet traffic. The results: Netflix accounts for 35% of US internet traffic and, thanks to the Cloud, it can always meet demand.
3. They don’t underestimate the power of mobile
Smartphones will surpass desktops and laptops as the primary channel for marketing. There’s no debating this or disputing it.
That is why it’s essential for business leaders to come up with mobile strategies to effectively target this increasingly ubiquitous channel. Having mobile-optimized websites leads to a much better user experience.
And tapping into the mobile app market lets you leverage marketing power that simply doesn’t exist on desktops. Amazon, an early proponent of the shopping app, allows mobile customers to buy products more quickly and easily.
4. They harness the muscle of social media
Ask any millennial if they are on social media and they will probably reply in the affirmative.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest, Vine, LinkedIn — the world is interconnected through social media platforms.
There are currently 1.35 billion active Facebook users, which is roughly equal to the population of China. In other words, your brand has 1.35 billion potential consumers it can reach if it learns how to effectively target and market to them (and this isn’t even counting China, which doesn’t have Facebook!).
In 2011, Ford Motor Company made social media a priority by integrating their social media accounts — including all posts, images, headlines and comments — and putting them right on the homepage. More recently, they’ve expanded into all manner of social media platforms including Vine, Instagram and Tumblr to highlight elements of the Ford experience that users of those platforms would find interesting.
5. They integrate tablets to make their businesses more efficient
If you’ve been in a cafe recently (like in the past few years), you may have noticed that many have a new method of handling payments: Square. Businesses small and large have learned that tablets are effective tools for payment and that app-signage saves time.
This is just one way in which business are using tablets strategically. Concierge services are using them for reservations, to print boarding passes and to provide guides to hotels. Retail stores are creating pop-up shops and are offering tablet-supported customer service. And companies like Sephora can use tablets to assist their beauty experts in helping customers find the best products for them.
6. They use telecommuting and teleconferencing to their advantage
With the advent of the Cloud, improved mobile technology, and the increasing abundance of Wi-Fi and hi-speed internet connections, it has never been easier to work outside the office and to communicate with coworkers and clients over email or video chat.
Increasingly, the office can be anywhere where you can put a laptop and connect to the Internet. Companies like American Express have large sections of their workforce that work entirely as telecommuters. Meanwhile, teleconferencing software like Cisco’s WebEx ensures that you can have meetings virtually anywhere — not to mention keep tabs on your telecommuting workers from anywhere.
7. They understand the growing online marketplace
Although the experience of shopping in an actual brick-and-mortor retail store will always be valued among consumers, retailers are increasingly realizing the importance of the online store as a real destination. Not only does it increase the reach of your products and potential market, it helps build brand recognition and allows for a seamless buying experience.
Uniqlo, a popular Japanese retailer that recently expanded into the US market, has grown exponentially by expanding into the online market. They’ve made their website just as enjoyable as their retail store experience. The site integrates an enjoyable shopping experience with social media, upcoming events and collaborations with big names including GQ, The New York Philharmonic and The Museum of Modern Art.
8. They employ digital solutions to boost productivity
With all the blessings that come from an Internet made for business, there are also a lot of distractions that can reduce productivity.
Luckily, a whole industry of productivity apps, programs and browser extensions have sprung up to solve this problem. Time-tracking tools like Timetrack allow you to keep tabs on your productivity and that of your teammates. StayFocusd blocks distracting websites, and calendar apps like Sunrise Calendar sync with built-in phone calendars like Google Calendar and iCal, as well as Facebook birthdays and events.
9. They prioritize internet security
If the recent Sony and Snapchat hacks taught us anything, it’s that Internet security is paramount. That’s why you need the most effective tools possible, as well as the most effective knowledge of how to keep your business safe.
Train your employees in basic security tips such as how to create secure passwords, how to protect company and customer information, and inform them about the risks of not following security protocols. Following these steps will help to ensure that your infrastructure will be safe from cyber-attacks.
10. They automate their marketing
One area where business is becoming increasingly complicated and confusing is marketing. The number of channels businesses now need to operate effectively in to organically increase customer growth is staggering.
That is why business leaders are increasingly turning to marketing automation programs to streamline the process and reduce potential errors. 59% of B2B Fortune 500 companies are now using marketing automation. This in turn frees up marketers to create and manage campaigns and leave the deep analysis to a smart and automated workflow.
10 More Ways Business Leaders Use Technology…
The ever-increasing pace of business technology means that your competitors are looking to utilize whatever they can to outpace your business.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to be knowledgeable about what is out there and what is coming. You need to quickly and effectively assimilate solutions into your business. And, as I mentioned in my last blog post, you can’t be afraid to fail fast and pivot, either.
