Techommendations: 5 Top Tips for Bristol Businesses
Posted on: 05 Dec 2016We present a handful of ideas necessary to make sure that your business is technologically water-tight.
Imagining a business that doesn't make use of technology is nearly impossible. Information technology has seeped into all corners of trade and has had a serious effect on all business operations. No matter the size of your enterprise, with the right implementation of information technology you can target a wider customer base and grow your business to higher levels.
Social Media
With no introduction needed, social media has affected the lives of us all and can be a serious game changer for business owners looking to generate exposure. Social media can also provide companies with the perfect platform to connect to its existing customer base. From information regarding current issues affecting the business, to press releases about new products companies have a channel to communicate directly to its clients. An online presence can bridge the gap to potential new customers through exposure to people who may have not have come across your business otherwise.
More and more employers are on the lookout for tech-savvy individuals who have the capability to use social media as a tool for generating conversations about their business. Those who are not utilising this tool are now considered behind the times and need to get on board if they want to keep up with the competition. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are all examples of social media applications that can be used to benefit your business. It is advisable to research every option available and tailor your online presence so it represents your business the way you want it to.
IT Security
With so much dependence on IT, security has become paramount for businesses. With the amount of data handled both online and on-premise, there is no question IT security should be at the top of any business owner’s priority list. The acronym CIA is used to signify the three important principles of IT security that could help your business in protecting its assets:
Confidentiality - Information is not made available or disclosed to unauthorised individuals, entities, or processes. Keep confidential data safe by using encryption where you can and password protection for important documents.
Integrity - Maintaining and assuring the accuracy and completeness of data. Provide backups of data deemed of high importance to maintain its integrity throughout the time it is required.
Availability -Making sure the data needed for the business to operate is available when it is needed. Do your best to prevent and plan for service disruptions which are mainly caused by power outages, hardware failures and system upgrades.
You could have the most advanced system of security in the world but if the receptionist is willing to give confidential information to someone posing as a colleague then there’s no hope. Training staff in IT security is extremely important because the human element is almost always the weakest part of any information security implementation.
The Cloud
Cloud computing is an all-encompassing solution for companies that know how to utilise its power. It provides employees with a one-stop destination for all the important documents, databases and contacts they need to work effectively. Not only does the cloud give users an access point from anywhere in the world with an internet connection, it also acts as the perfect backup solution. If a clumsy employee was to spill a coffee over their hardware, it’s not going to be the end of the world if all that data is duplicated online.
Productivity increases as everything stored in the cloud is accessible for those who want to work from home or on their mobile devices. Collaboration on documents can be done by employees with ease. The cloud allows them to access, update and upload files that can be shared online with groups people both internally and externally. The cloud puts an end to the need for manual updates. The supplier will take care of that behind the scenes, preventing your employees from wasting precious time that could be spent working on that new project.
Video Conferencing
Technological advances have improved video conferencing services hugely. Conferencing allows businesses to communicate externally with groups who could be based half way across the world. This is very important for international Enterprises who may have offices elsewhere or are looking to do business abroad.
Today’s video conferencing software is extremely easy to use and can be set up in no time at all. Webcams and microphones are usually built in to new laptops but can be bought cheaply in bulk for those using desktop systems. In a matter of seconds a group of thirty people can be linked together over the phone for an important meeting. Those with webcams can be made viewable on large monitors for all to see.
If you need to quickly inform your colleagues of important developments, promotions or issues you can do so with efficient speed and effectiveness with everyone present via a conference call. Such services aren’t as rare as they once were and a lot of business will expect to be able to communicate via conference links so don’t be left behind!
High quality website
If your company website doesn’t respond fast enough, you could be losing out. People can’t afford to wait around these days, so if your website isn’t up to scratch then make sure to give it the makeover it needs. Ease of use is the dominant factor with websites, there is nothing worse than losing a potential customer because they couldn’t easily navigate to your contact details. It sounds simple, but for a lot of businesses this is a serious issue. It doesn’t have to be the flashiest most cutting edge webpage, it just needs to be simple, effective and easy to navigate. If there is a webform on the site that allows customers to sign up for a newsletter, then carry out routine checks on whether the connection from site and the mailbox is functioning.
Run other checks on your bandwidth and reduce stress on your website by optimizing your pages by shrinking image sizes and external Javascript. Websites, like social media, are a very powerful tool that represent the ideas behind your business to the public. If used to their full potential, they can entice and encourage a loyal client base.
If you need any help with anything get in touch with 365Bristol here and we'll recommend some fantastic suppliers!
Article by:
Originally from the Hampshire town of Winchester, Tom has lived in Bristol for four years. He decided it was a city worth staying in after graduating in Cyber Security at UWE last year. Tom has a passion for technology as well as keen interests in film, food, music, sports and photography. He spends a lot of his time engaging in the abundant offerings of a vibrant city at the forefront of British culture.
