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5 Essential Tech Tools To Grow Your Business And 2 You Should NOT Waste Your Money On

5 Essential Tech Tools To Grow Your Business And 2 You Should NOT Waste Your Money On

Growing your business involves learning how to make money and hang on to it responsibly. When you’re in the weeds, it’s easy to think that a fancy piece of well-marketed software could help dig your way out. That’s usually not the case, and you’ll likely end up paying for software that you dont need and barely use, and that burns through your bank account. On the other end, a few pieces of technology benefit most growing organizations. When set up and implemented correctly, these pieces of software can improve operations, increase efficiency and lend a hand to revenue-generating efforts. Investing in the right technology is not a wasted expense. However, with so many options, especially with the new wave of AI-powered digital tools, it can be challenging to decide which ones you need and which ones are distractions. In today’s blog, we’re outlining five tech tools you should use to grow your business and a few that will only take up space. Tools To Use: Direct Messaging Platforms – Whether everyone is in-office, remote or hybrid, a communication tool is a must. These tools allow for targeted communication that can be one-on-one, small, select groups, entire departments, channels within the organization or the entire organization. This feature helps to keep messages relevant instead of consuming everyone’s time. Tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack are popular options that offer video call capabilities, integrate with other tech tools, can leverage AI and more. Other critical factors to consider when choosing which software you’ll use are whether it’s high-speed, easy to use and scalable, and whether the company provides great support. Project Management Software – This is essential for internal and external projects to keep you on track, on budget and organized. Using this tool, you can work with others on your team to set deadlines, assign tasks, monitor deliverables, track issues, connect with clients for feedback or approval and more. However, there are many options available that have more features than you need. When choosing project management software, first see if there are any industry favorites. For example, JobNimbus is specialized software for roofers in the contracting industry. Others exist specifically for health care. Finding these unique options can help you get the project solutions you need. If you’re looking for a general tool, software like Monday, Asana and ClickUp all continue to top the popularity chart. Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM) – If you’ve been tracking leads and customers via pencil and paper or with a simple spreadsheet, this tool will change the game for you. CRMs allow you to store your customer information in one place, which can help streamline your sales process, strengthen customer relationships, increase sales and run a smoother operation. Again, look for industry-specific options first. After that, tools like Keap or Salesforce come highly recommended. Cloud Computing Solutions – These are vital for all organizations that share data or collaborate on projects. The cloud is a web-based hub that holds all your data virtually and can be manipulated by anyone with access at any time, even at the same time. It syncs to all connected devices to share changes in real time, allowing for better collaboration and scale-up as your company grows. Cloud platforms to consider are Microsoft Azure, Google Drive, Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Dropbox. Cyber Security Solutions – Digital tools make running your company easier, but they invite new threats into your business. Cyber security is a serious issue for business owners. You handle sensitive data, financial information and more for you and your clients, so safeguarding it against cybercriminals is necessary. Computers, USBs, mobile devices, servers and networks must all be secured. While there are antivirus and firewall solutions available for you to set up on your own, having an IT company with a cyber security expert on the team monitoring your network is recommended. Hackers break through the standard firewalls regularly, which leaves people who think they are protected unknowingly exposed. With 24/7 monitoring, an IT team can patch those holes before cybercriminals can find them. Those are five tools all business owners would benefit from. But what about items you don’t need? Here are two you can avoid wasting money on. 1. Ineffective AI Tools – With the launch of ChatGPT, a wave of new AI-powered programs has popped up. It seems like there is an AI tool for everything. The problem is, can these tools be used effectively? Many programs were rushed to market and are still in the early stages of development. They have frustrating bugs and limitations and don’t produce quality results. Be selective about which AI tools you use. Do you need it? Does it work? Remember, whenever you sign up for another free trial or create an account, you’re giving your private information to a company that could experience a data breach. Choose carefully! 2. Duplicates – Are you paying twice for the same tool? As software companies merge and develop new features, you might find that you can consolidate your tools in one place. For example, if you’re using Canva to design images for social media and something else like Hootsuite to schedule them, you could reduce the number of tools you use from two to one because Canva can schedule the posts for you! There are likely other areas in your business where this can happen. Spend some time evaluating what you invest in to see if you can eliminate anything. When it comes to running an efficient business, choosing the right tech tools is critical to your success. Instead of spending your limited time researching the best options, let our tech experts help. Using our FREE Network Assessment, we can help you identify bottlenecks and areas of opportunity in your business to help you save money, improve productivity and grow. Click here to book your free assessment now or call our team at 314-207-4273 to get started.

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Advice from Shark Tank TV Stars: A Successful Business Knows the Problem It Solves

Advice from Shark Tank TV Stars: A Successful Business Knows the Problem It Solves

What problem does your business solve? And for who? Do you communicate that clearly in your marketing? Is your business good at solving that problem? These are the questions that stars of the hit TV show Shark Tank asked participants during a panel discussion I recently attended at an industry event. You’d be surprised how many people had to think for a long time to clearly answer those questions. On the show Shark Tank, entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a rotating group of potential investors including Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary, all who spoke on this panel. If participants of the show don’t know the problem their business solves, they’re not going get investments or earn the Sharks’ trust. Why listen to these TV stars? They’re wildly successful in business! Robert Herjavec is a tech genius, and immigrant turned multi-millionaire who kicked off the discussion by sharing his personal story of overcoming adversity. He encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace the latest technology and stay ahead of the game. Daymond John, the streetwise fashion guru who turned his love for hats into a multimillion-dollar brand, urged business owners to identify and fill gaps in the market. And Kevin O’Leary, the software entrepreneur turned savvy investor, emphasized the importance of having a clear understanding of your value proposition and standing out from the competition. The overall theme of the panel discussion was “Know the problem you solve.” The panelists emphasized the importance of positioning your product or service as something that uniquely solves a problem or improves your customers’ lives. Here are five key takeaways from their discussion: Identify the problem you’re solving: Before you can position your product or service as a solution, you need to identify the problem that you’re solving. This requires a deep understanding of your target customer and their pain points. You need to be able to articulate how your product or service addresses their needs and solves their problems in a unique and meaningful way. Focus on the benefits: When positioning your product or service, it’s important to focus on the benefits, not just the features. Customers don’t buy products or services based on their features alone; they buy based on how those features will improve their lives. Make sure you’re communicating the benefits of your product or service clearly and concisely. Be specific: Don’t try to be all things to all people. Instead, focus on a specific problem or set of problems that you can solve better than anyone else. This will help you differentiate yourself in the market and build a loyal customer base. Tell a story: People remember stories much better than they remember facts and figures. Use storytelling to illustrate how your product or service solves a problem and improves your customers’ lives. This will help you connect with your customers on an emotional level and make your product or service more memorable. Test and iterate: Once you’ve identified the problem you’re solving and positioned your product or service as a solution, it’s important to test and iterate. Get feedback from your customers and adjust as necessary. This will help you continue to improve your product or service and stay ahead of the competition. Your business can thrive or fail based on knowing and applying these concepts. This can also change over time as your business grows and problems and people change. As an IT company founded in 1984, my own business has changed many times over the years! We opened our doors when computers were just starting to be used in the workplace. Then we helped individuals build custom computers specifically geared toward their needs. In the 1990s we transitioned to setting up networks of computers and began using internet capabilities in the mainstream. Now, we’re helping businesses keep their technology running hassle-free while also protecting them from cyber-attacks. People Don’t Know What They Don’t Know The world is filled with people selling things to solve problems that you never knew existed. Some are scam artists while others are trying to genuinely build a business offering an essential service for the world. It’s hard to not be skeptical these days where there’s a new danger and something else to worry about (and pay for) in the news every day. As an IT company, we have the same conversation with business owners every day, despite repeated news headlines about the latest business or organization being hacked. Many think that they are too small to be at risk of a cyberattack. Others think that their current IT guy “has them covered” because he seems to know a lot about technology. Most business owners think cybersecurity is a yearly conversation they have with their insurance company to fill out a form to qualify for insurance. In reality, cybersecurity is an ongoing risk that requires ongoing, proactive management that’s constantly evolving along with technology and threats. Being A Trusted Expert in Your Field The Sharks are all trusted business experts, which is why millions watch their show and thousands apply to have a chance to pitch their business for a chance at getting an investor. People are looking for someone knowledgeable and trustworthy to help solve their problems, not an amateur who seems risky. As a wrap-up for the panel discussion, the Sharks reiterated the importance of deeply understanding the problem you solve so people know you are the person and the company to help them. Become the person and company that they trust to solve their problems with excellent service and by adding value. Then your business will thrive.

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The Biggest Risk Is Not The One You Don’t Take, But The One You Don’t See

The Biggest Risk Is Not The One You Don’t Take, But The One You Don’t See

“The biggest risk is the one you don’t take” is a mantra you’ll hear motivational speakers deliver in their presentations to make the argument that you should throw all caution to the wind and go for it (whatever “it” is). And while that may be a good piece of advice to get someone to take action on an idea (and get the speaker applause at the end of their presentation), truly smart, experienced entrepreneurs and business executives NEVER throw “caution to the wind” and take wild risks. They take calculated risks, weighing consequences and putting buffers, hedges and checks in place to reduce the risk and potential losses. They look for the risk because they know unchecked optimism is not only foolish, but dangerous, and Murphy is always standing by with a big wrench in hand, ready to throw it into your best-laid plans. If you follow Warren Buffett’s two rules of investing, you’ll see this same caution: Rule #1 – Never lose money. Rule #2 – Never forget Rule #1. A good question to ask yourself is where are YOU putting your business and your money at undue risk? While you cannot prepare for and prevent EVERY risk in your business, one area where we see a lot of businesses taking huge, unmitigated risks is with their data and cyber security. Despite the overwhelming evidence that the risk and the financial consequences of cyber-attacks are enormous, we still hear, “Nobody is going to hack us…we don’t have anything they want,” or “We can’t get hacked because _____,” with the blank being things like “we use cloud applications” or “we have a good firewall,” “our people are too smart to click on bad links in e-mails,” or other similar “reasons” for their false sense of security. They explain it away. Candidly, it’s our belief that this is not founded in confidence and logical thought but based in a willful neglect and a desire to avoid spending the funds necessary to truly secure their data, their business, their finances. And while I completely understand that nobody wants to spend a lot of money on IT, the risk doesn’t cease to exist just because you choose to ignore it. One of the smartest investors in the world, Howard Marks, CEO of Oaktree Financial, said, paraphrased, the less risk you perceive, the more risk there is. For example, if I don’t think there’s any chance I can die in a car wreck on my way to the store, I’ll fail to put on my seat belt, text while I drive and be a lot less cautious about paying attention to the road than if I thought there was a very high chance I could be in a fatal crash. The lower the risk perceived, the higher the risk actually is, because we lower our guard and don’t protect against it. That’s exactly why small businesses are the #1 target for hackers. They’re EASY prey. Sure, they don’t get the bragging rights of bringing down a company like Dole or hacking into Microsoft Azure, but hacking millions of small businesses for a few thousand dollars each in ransomware pays. You just don’t hear about these attacks because they don’t make the evening news, just like you don’t hear about the 6 MILLION car wrecks that happen every year. Only the big ones – or the ones that seriously impact rush hour traffic – get noticed. If you are not all that certain that you are truly and fully protected against such hacks, reach out to schedule a brief discovery call with us. We can conduct a quick and easy cyber security risk assessment and tell you for sure if your current IT company is protecting you, and what level of risk you’re at for a cyber-attack. It’s free and comes with no expectations or cost. Remember, not all successes are measured in gains secured. Sometimes success is defined as losses avoided. If you were given the chance to go back in time and unwind 2 or 3 financial, business or life decisions you’ve made, knowing what you know now, I’m sure everyone would take that opportunity. Most likely, you’d go back and warn yourself about dumb mistakes you made and put protections in place to avoid losses you incurred. Sadly, there’s no genie in a bottle to make that happen, so an ounce of prevention against cyber-attack IS, without a doubt, worth a pound of cure. Call us today for your FREE Cyber Security Risk Assessment.

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Is ChatGPT the Future of Business?

Is ChatGPT the Future of Business?

In recent news, ChatGPT has become a hot topic among AI enthusiasts and business owners. There’s benefits and drawbacks with this new technology, but it’s widely agreed that it signifies a major shift for small and medium businesses. In 2022, OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research and development company, introduced ChatGPT to the public as a free software. Since then, ChatGPT has gained a predicted 100 million active monthly users, with that number continuing to grow. With so much hysteria around this AI software, business owners may have several questions about the technology and its uses and effect on the future of business. Many of our clients have asked us about this new technology and it’s a topic throughout the tech industry, so here’s a rundown of ChatGPT. What is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is a large-scale, pre-trained language model that uses the GPT-3 architecture to search information stored in a massive pool of internet sources and data to produce that information for its users. It was introduced in 2018 by OpenAI and the latest version was released for free to the public earlier this year.  ChatGPT’s ability to communicate in a human-like way is a revolutionary feature. The program has been fine-tuned for extensive language generation tasks that include language translation, question-answering, and short and long-form writing, all designed to sound like a human. How Can Businesses Use ChatGPT? ChatGPT’s accessibility and human-like communication abilities have opened a whole new opportunity for the business world. Businesses that are open to a new way of streamlining can utilize ChatGPT to tackle various pain points for internal use and to create a better customer experience. Here are three examples of how businesses can use ChatGPT: Streamlining operations Automation is a great option to help simplify tedious tasks, optimize workflow and give businesses back their time. When businesses use ChatGPT to reduce manual labor, all of that time is given back to employees to dedicate to creativity and tasks humans can only perform. ChatGPT can help businesses with: Data entry. Appointment scheduling. Reducing the risk of errors. Improving the accuracy of data. Ensuring businesses’ efficiency and effectiveness. Saving costs. Improving productivity. Strengthening the bottom line. Customer experience ChatGPT’s ability to provide personalized suggestions based on customer history means that businesses can provide around-the-clock service for customers, as they can work more hours than humans. ChatGPT can understand customer queries and respond in real-time, just as humans would. While improving the consumer experience, ChatGPT will also be collecting customer data that can be used to guide future segmentation, ad targeting, marketing campaigns, and business decisions. Cutting-edge innovation ChatGPT’s analytical capabilities allow it to perform complex processes, including supply chain management and financial planning or suggestions to increase efficiency and save costs. More information on consumers can also spark creativity in business professionals, allowing them to stay ahead of the curve with new ideas that their customers will love. Pros of ChatGPT: Versatility: ChatGPT can be used for a variety of tasks, including generating text, answering questions, and even engaging in natural language conversations. Speed: ChatGPT is capable of producing human-like responses quickly and efficiently, making it an ideal tool for businesses that need to respond to customer inquiries or generate content quickly. Accuracy: With its large database of information and sophisticated algorithms, ChatGPT can produce highly accurate responses to a wide range of queries. Scalability: Because ChatGPT is an AI system, it can be scaled up or down as needed to meet the needs of businesses of any size. Cost-effective: Compared to hiring human employees to perform similar tasks, ChatGPT can be a cost-effective solution for businesses. Cons of ChatGPT: Bias: As with any AI system, ChatGPT is only as unbiased as the data it is trained on. If the training data contains bias, ChatGPT may produce biased responses. Lack of Context: While ChatGPT is capable of generating highly accurate responses, it may lack the ability to understand the context of a particular query or conversation. Privacy Concerns: Because ChatGPT is designed to process large amounts of data, there may be concerns about privacy and data security. Lack of Emotional Intelligence: While ChatGPT can generate human-like responses, it may not be able to understand or express emotions in the same way that humans can. Limited Domain Expertise: ChatGPT’s ability to generate responses is limited by the amount and quality of data it has been trained on. In certain specialized domains, it may not be as effective as a human expert. As businesses continue to evolve and adapt to technological advancements, the future of ChatGPT looks promising. With its ability to automate tasks, provide real-time data analysis, and improve data accuracy, ChatGPT could change the way businesses operate and allocate resources. While there are potential challenges to overcome, such as privacy concerns and the need for proper tech support, the benefits of using AI can outweigh the cons for businesses. ChatGPT and similar AI software will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of business. The impact of ChatGPT will depend on how quickly and effectively businesses adopt the technology and integrate it into their operations. However, if businesses are willing to embrace AI technology, they can reap the benefits of increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and greater innovation. There’s also unseen negatives involved with every advance in technology, many of them still unknown with ChatGPT. There’s one guarantee: ChatGPT and AI are here to stay and they are changing the world of business. Curious about content quality produced by ChatGPT? This article was written in less than one hour from idea to finished product utilizing ChatGPT! There is a learning curve to get the best quality from ChatGPT, but the amount of time saved makes a huge impact for small business.

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