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It is estimated that the average enterprise-level organization uses an average of over 75 technology tools. It’s clear that organizations are recognizing the potential this can have for their growth – even if they’re being a bit slow to adopt it.
If you’re still not sure how today’s options can impact your business for the better, understanding some of their key use cases can help you recognize its potential.
Increased productivity
One of the most obvious ways that businesses are using technology to drive growth is through automation. These tools take on common and essential tasks that don’t require as much thought or knowledge from your team. They give employees more time to focus on higher-level activities, while at the same time reducing the risk of human error that can slip in when performing a repeatable, low-level task.
For example, research shows that using marketing automation tools can increase sales productivity by 14.5 percent, while simultaneously reducing overhead by 12.2 percent. Marketing this software helps increase results by enabling marketing professionals to better identify qualified leads and helping them improve the nurturing process.
Automation can help with other tasks that aren’t as directly customer-facing. From processing invoices or time off requests, to synchronizing scheduling to setting up meetings, it can take care of countless “behind the scenes” tasks that streamline your work, boosting productivity.
“[This leads to] not simply removing workers from the equation, as has been wrongly suggested in the past, but to help workers by outsourcing the ‘tedious’ aspects of their work to technology, leaving them in a place to focus on more important tasks “. writes, Darryl Seland, for Quality magazine. “It’s a far cry from the notion of pushing a button and letting machines do all the work, although advances in technology can make it seem that way.”
Connected: How to use automation (and avoid the pitfalls) as an entrepreneur
Improving customer service
Positive brand interactions can make all the difference in building lasting loyalty. Research from Microsoft shows that 69 percent of consumers feel that customer service is essential to ensuring their brand loyalty.
As a blog post from Envision Consulting further explains: “It is becoming increasingly common for businesses to have online chat features on their websites, allowing potential customers to speak directly with a representative. The interactive nature of online chat can help customers get their questions or concerns resolved much faster.”
The right technology can also result in more personalized experiences that make consumers more likely to buy in the first place. Tracking user interactions on your website can provide insight into the purchases a customer is considering. This can then be used for email or social media campaigns that target a user’s interests and behaviors more directly.
Better data means better decision making
Without sound information to support your decision-making, you could be taking your company down the wrong path.
Once again, technology can drive growth – this time, by helping leaders make data-driven decisions. Not only do technology resources help collect and aggregate data, but many tools also provide analytical insights based on this information to help guide your decision-making.
Notably, a PwC survey of over 1,000 senior executives found that organizations that are “highly data-driven” were three times more likely to experience major improvements in their decision-making processes when compared to their peers. their less data-driven. Qualitative research can help you become more proactive in implementing needed changes and have greater confidence that you are taking the right course of action.
Technology tools that collect and analyze data can also help break down the information silos that often appear in larger enterprises. This gives your entire team a more complete picture, while also enabling stronger cross-departmental collaboration. When everyone has access to information that can help them do their jobs better, you ultimately become more productive and deliver better customer experiences.
Connected: Making a good decision requires good data
The time is NOW
A recent survey of 2,000 US adults by Propel Software found that inconsistent product information was the number one offender for consumers to “break up” with a brand they use.
There’s no denying that the right combination of tools can significantly improve your operations. Even activities that don’t seem to directly contribute to your bottom line can drive growth by helping you become more productive and better able to meet the needs of your customers.
By evaluating your needs and available options, you can find tools that help you take your business to the next level—and achieve the massive growth you’ve been hoping for.
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