All types of businesses, including small companies, face their unique challenges. Keeping up with the rapid pace of advanced technologies is one of the most significant challenges for small businesses.
According to Alan Safahi Orinda, an experienced and skilled entrepreneur in San Francisco, businesses who learn to maintain technological tools and align their operations with trends stay competitive in the market. Here are four technology tips for small businesses. Read on!
- Invest in Network Security
Network security has become critical for small businesses because hackers and cybercriminals are more active and can gain access to your confidential data, including customer and financial information.
Once hackers get into the system, they can steal your customers’ data and business financial information. Therefore, Alan Safahi recommends investing in network security tools to protect your data, including software and firewall solutions. Follow a proactive approach and look for trustable cybersecurity resources.
- Upgrade Your Equipment and Tools
Most small businesses find it challenging to uncover an issue, fix it, and move forward. However, technology can help you automate the process and save time and resources. According to Alan Safahi, threats evolve, and new ones arise daily.
Therefore, it is crucial to upgrade your hardware equipment and software tools. If you have obsolete tools, you will experience complications. For instance, what you incorporated a year ago can lead to higher risks, putting your company in jeopardy.
So, Safahi recommends continually assessing the latest technology and evaluating it to implement the best equipment and tools. The purpose is to select and incorporate technologies that align with your business operations.
- Develop a Data Backup Plan
Data is the heart and lifeblood of your small business, meaning you have to make substantial efforts to protect it at all times. Backing up your data can save your business from breaches and cyberattacks.
In addition, backup systems apply to the internet that ensures customers’ connectivity, orders, credit card processing, bank accounts, etc. When you have an obsolete system, you can lose valuable data. Therefore, consider cloud backup plans to safeguard your business from potential threats.
- Establish a Training Program for Your Employees
Developing a training program for your employees is the best way to make the most out of the technology tools. Alan Safahi considers this an essential investment. Although technology is expensive, training your employees will increase productivity, increase sales, safeguard the company’s values, and generate higher returns on investments.
So, if you want to make your company more competitive, enhance communication and collaboration between employees, increase security, bring efficiency, achieve compliance, and support your business operations, implement training programs for employees every month, three months, or at least twice a year. Safahi suggests training your employees for efficient use of:
- Cloud storage
- Accounting tools
- Note-taking software
- Email marketing tools
- Social media management
- Video conferencing apps
- Project management software
Alan Safahi Contra Costa 