Written by Vineet Sethi
The world of small businesses is fast-paced, challenging, and highly competitive. To stay ahead of the competition and stand out, you must be willing to adapt your strategies and implement new technologies and Apps.
You will have to wear many hats regularly as a small business owner. You will need to be confident in making strategic decisions that will benefit your company long-term. You also need the skills to handle day-to-day operations such as marketing, accounting, advertising, sales, etc.
It would help if you never underestimated the power of modern apps, as they can help improve almost every aspect of your business – from customer relations to inventory management.
Are you looking to grow your business? It’s time to take things up a notch.
Read on for our list of top 5 apps that every small business needs to compete with larger establishments:
1. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is an online data storage system that allows users to store data on remote servers instead of on local hardware. This will enable users to access their files from any device with internet connectivity while reducing the risk of data loss due to hardware failure. Small businesses can benefit significantly from cloud storage due to the flexibility and scalability offered by the service. For example, if you work with a content creation team in another part of the country, you can use cloud storage to securely share data with them without having to worry about physical file transfers. You can store files of any type, size, and quantity on cloud storage, with most providers offering significant discounts for users who opt for a long-term commitment.
Additionally, most cloud storage providers offer a free trial period that allows you to test their service before committing to a contract. This will enable you to determine whether the service is a good fit for your company before making a long-term investment. The popular options are Dropbox, One Drive, Google Drive, and Apple’s iCloud Drive.
2. Smart Collaboration
Do you find that you’re constantly spending time dealing with the back and forth of internal business communications? It may be time to consider implementing a collaboration tool such as Slack or Telegram. These tools allow team members to communicate in real-time while eliminating e-mail clutter within a company’s inbox. This means you’ll be able to spend more time focused on bringing new customers into the fold and less time dealing with internal/back-end issues.
These tools are not just for internal communications either. They can also be used to interact with clients, vendors, and suppliers to help you streamline your overall operational processes.
Communication is vital for any organization – inside and outside the office. If you are wasting time trying to communicate with team members, clients, or suppliers, then you aren’t focused on the most important thing: growing your business. Implementing collaboration tools can help you save time, be more productive, and give you more time to focus on growing your business.
3. Inventory Management
If your business is dependent on the sale of physical products, you will need to have a system in place for monitoring stock levels and managing inventory. A quality inventory management app will allow you to keep track of all of your products, including their location, purchase date, sales information, and more. Without such a system, you may lose money by selling expired products and failing to generate sales due to a lack of inventory. With an inventory management app, you can address both of these issues proactively. You can use an inventory management app to create a digital catalog of all your products, which can then be shared with customers to place orders directly through the app. This will enable your business to stay competitive by reducing the time it takes for customers to make a purchase decision. Popular options are Increff, Sortly amongst others.
4. Project Management
The advantages of project management apps are limitless. Project management was once symbolized by a pencil, a piece of paper, and a process.
Yet, time goes by, and technology advances. Project management is used today for project planning, time management, resource allocation, change management, and project execution. A project management app is one of the most vital tools for small businesses wanting to be as competitive as possible and stand out from the crowd. Simple options best suited for small businesses are Todoist, Trello, and Quick Plan, among others.
5. Google Docs
Google Docs is a cloud-based software platform that allows users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. Small businesses can use this service to create a shared calendar, create and track team to-do lists, create a central repository for important documents, and more. If you work with a distributed team, you will find that Google Docs is a valuable asset. You can share documents, edit them and comment on them from anywhere, at any time – making it easier to stay on track. Using Google Docs will help team members stay organized, on top of their workload, and in sync. These apps will help your small business stay competitive.
By investing in these technologies, you’ll be able to focus on your core strengths while outsourcing non-essential operational tasks.
(Picture credits: Pexels)
At Beyond The Panorama, we work with businesses to develop their digital brand presence; a big part is content writing for various channels. If you want help to organize this business function, we would love to have a conversation and set it up!
Reach out to us at hello@beyondthepanorama.com on our social media channels.
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