Categories
Business motivation

5 Top Reasons Why Small Business Owners Must Embrace Business Automation

Computers, Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and the internet: these are some of the first things that come to our mind when we talk about technology that most businesses are using in this modern era. Some of the most impressive recent advances in technology and process efficiency are rooted in automation.

Business automation is becoming more frequent because it is both less expensive and more accessible. Today, it is used for everything from sending out “automated” away messages when you are out on a vacation to building high-rise apartments and cars.

Automation in a startup business can save your company money and time. But one thing that we should keep in our minds is that even the most advanced software or technology will be far from perfect. Why? That is because the creation of technology involves coding which is done by humans. Hence, a scope for human error is always present.

But every business requires reliable and faster communication, and business processes to boost growth. So if you are still doing a lot of business processes manually, without any further delay here is a list of the most essential benefits that every business can certainly drive from business automation:

1. Communication which is Faster & Reliable

For businesses that operate not only across India, but also outside the country, a reliable mode of communication is necessary. If telephone lines are not working, alternatives must be readily available. Thanks to various instant messaging apps, many local business owners are now able to promote their business across various states in India.

Multiple modes of communication ensure that the business operations will not be disrupted. Fast internet connections have made it possible to transfer vital information regarding a business across vast distances in seconds. This enables telecommuting that not only gives access to high-quality talent in places but also reduces human resources cost.

2. Increased Efficiency & Productivity

Technology can help to enhance efficiency and productivity in multiple ways. There are many processes like maintaining accounts, billing, payroll, and asset management that can be automated by using business software that is available in the market. It will not only help to manage their operations but will do it more efficiently.

Also, technology can help many startup businesses to automate their repetitive tasks that do not require an elevated level of decision making. This can give more effective results and productivity.

3. Increased profit & Reduced Cost

Where business automation can increase efficiency and productivity from technology, it also results in decreased operating costs and an increase in profits, eventually. Advanced technology can also eliminate the unnecessary travel expenses for meetings and other supervisory work. Most of these activities can now carry out on live video chat and other collaboration platforms. This does not mean that one should remove the personal interactions and meetings, but it can help to reduce the need to be physically present in one location to work with other employees.

4. Enhanced Security

With the latest technology like blockchain, businesses can work to implement better ways to carry out financial business transactions more securely without compromising transparency and creating layers of security.

5. Greater Transparency & Interconnected Operations

Multiple business processes are complex and also involve countless types of transactions. But with advanced business software and technology, you can integrate these processes seamlessly. Also, when it comes to sharing and processing business data, you can automatically collect, process, and present everything in a readable format.

Technology is omnipresent. But many businesses resist embracing technology and those who refuse to do so may be bound for failure. But to ensure business growth is it essential to be well acquainted with the pros and cons that come along the way.

If you have a business idea and want to build your startup around it, you can take our ‘Entrepreneurship course’.

Categories
Process & Business Expansion

5 Business Automation Tools to Grow Your Business

Work from Anywhere, Anytime!
 

Have you ever thought of a scenario where you are on a holiday, sipping your favourite drink and your business back home is not only running smoothly but also generating revenue? 

Yes, it is possible! Automation in business gives an entrepreneur the advantage to create more value for himself and his customers. 

As a small business owner if you are not leveraging the power of technology, then in all probability you must be micromanaging everything in your business. In that case, as weird as it may sound, you are in all likelihood just like any other employee in your company with the fanciest title.

The advantages of using business automation technologies
are many. It helps:

  • In leveraging an entrepreneurs time
  • It reduces the time in completing a task
  • It increases the efficiency and productivity of employees
  • Business owner can focus on other important aspects of the business like customer service, innovation, strategies and revenue generation.

With the ever changing landscape of business, business owners need to develop the ability to adapt and use the power of technology and automation in their businesses.

The top 5 Business Automation Tools are-
 

1. Make a Repeatable business model

The model is applied to new products and services for the generation of sustained growth in the company. 

It can be achieved by enabling the people of your company through processes and technology.  

The best example of a repeatable business model is of DMart. The company enjoys the market capitalization of Rs.114,000 crore. Over the years the company has focused on building a good team, robust process and technology. 

2. Smart Marketing

As the name suggests, many B2B and B2C businesses swears by the smart marketing formula. 

Smart marketing not only helps business owners to increase their sales significantly but also allows unlocking their time.

Examples of smart marketing tool-

a) Facebook ads/Instagram Page

Facebook and Instagram are the most popular social media platforms. While Facebook has the largest user base across the globe, Instagram enjoys immense following amongst youngsters.

Both Facebook and Instagram are widely used as an advertising tool that allows you to reach directly to your specific customers based on their interests, gender, age and location.

The icing on the cake is that it is cheaper than the conventional modes of marketing.

b) LinkedIn Ads

If you want your business to get the visibility in the world’s largest professional community then LinkedIn ads are the best and the only bet. 

It helps in creating awareness about your brand, generating leads and increases engagement with your potential customer on a global professional platform.

3. Mail chimp

Mail chimp is a powerful marketing software. It is a tool that redefines the conventional way of connecting with your group of customers. 

With the help of this business automation tool, you can boost your email marketing efforts. It helps you in sending newsletters to thousands of recipients who have signed up for it in one go. 

It also helps in automating your email campaigns and collect leads for your business.

4. Technology

Technology in business is the best enabler. It helps in business automation and reduces operational costs. 

Few examples of popular business automation tools are:

a) ERP-

Enterprise Resource Planning is a centralized database that puts the important parts of business on automation.

ERP can be implemented across the departments of an organization be it Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, Inventory Management etc.

b) Zoom- 

It is video conferencing platform which is used for conducting video conferencing meetings, webinars, audio conferencing, recordings and live chats from anywhere.

This business automation software saves travel time, helps in better communication, increases productivity without any physical infrastructure.

c) Cloud based Services- 

It is a system where the hardware and software hosted by a 3rd party. It is a service that can be accessed from any location freely through an internet connection. 

This business automation tool is cost effective and improves functionality of your business. 

For Example: Dropbox, Google Apps, Amazon EC2 etc.

5. CRM

Relationship with customers is the most important thing in the business world. To maintain a record of thousands of customers can become a cumbersome task at times. Customer relationship management (CRM) software eases out this process for business owners. 

This powerful business automation tool not only automates the whole process but also collects data from other sources as well.

If you are a small or medium-sized business, it is critical for you to implement these business automation tools to increase efficiency and productivity enables by tech today.