Business growth can happen in more than one way. Receiving a burst of online or local customers does not always require a bigger commercial property. However, the experiences might result in additional tech tools. Professional teams can manage their tech growth and remain in the same building with the latest digital strategies.
Understand the Company’s Current Tech Landscape
Assessing a business’s current technological standing is the first growth step. Managers or company owners should create a roster of existing hardware and software programs. They must also compile all outsourced services the operation purchases for data monitoring, customer communications or supply chain management. Once a team knows what they have, they can pinpoint which details are not serving the organization and require upgrades.
Select Relevant Digital Solutions
Professional teams should uncover leading tech solutions for growing companies. They will better understand their options if they know what experts are using to meet operational needs while maintaining their current commercial space.
Cloud-Based Data Storage
Servers are essential for any digital activities, but they may not have enough storage for rapidly growing companies. Small buildings might not include room for housing multiple server racks. Teams can investigate potential cloud-based providers in that case.
Data centers sell storage space at tiered subscription pricing. They are already managing double the power demand, so providers understand how to handle growing consumer needs. Businesses can participate in virtual data storage to better manage growing email subscriber lists, digital files, or additional social media videos.
In-House or Outsourced IT Support
Companies providing additional services or products may need IT support to ensure production remains on schedule. Outsourced support is also possible if a commercial space does not have enough room for a suite of IT employees. Local businesses can arrange virtual tech support for 24/7 threat monitoring, immediate ticket responses, and emergency assistance if something goes wrong.
Business Suite Assessment
Some business tech upgrades might be possible with more information. Teams should complete a thorough review of their workspace, including per-room measurements. If they need to install a server, they might assume they must outsource that service until they measure their storage room. In the meantime, the increased customer activity could overwhelm the company’s servers, resulting in slower traffic or website downtime. Exact office measurements will guide each organization to the best decision for its operation and growth needs.
Budgeting
What a team wants and what it can afford may be two separate things. Review the current budget and project what IT updates are expected to generate in new revenue. Work with a CPA to run the numbers and determine the best course of action. Understand the tax implications of IT decisions (e.g., deducting the cost of buying servers versus paying for monthly cloud storage).
Plan the Implementation
Once business owners know what tech upgrades they need, they should outline their implementation plans. Understanding each step will make the experience smoother for everyone involved.
1. Gather Training Materials
Regardless of the selected changes, employees must learn how to use their upgraded tools. They should receive training on accessing the cloud storage account or logging into new locally installed software. Some products might come with informational modules, depending on the manufacturer. A quick call with the customer service team should indicate where to find educational materials if they come with a company’s product or subscription purchase.
2. Outline Date-Specific Usage Goals
Requiring a companywide change overnight is not feasible. People need time to get used to their new tools. Leadership teams should plan their tech growth with date-specific phases. They could set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals to increase long-term work performance in manageable steps.
Employees could practice one software feature for one week before adding another. The best steps will depend on the company’s technology resources and how much each team member needs to use them.
3. Update Customers as Needed
Clients and customers need to know about internal business changes. They could have a new experience on the brand website or need to submit orders differently. Business owners should work their upgrades into marketing materials like email newsletters or social media posts. The growth will continue smoothly if everyone understands what is happening behind the scenes.
Kick-Start Sustainable Tech Growth
Professional success does not always result in company relocation. Business owners can remain in the building they love while their company grows by strategizing tech alternatives. Options like outsourcing support or getting cloud-based storage solutions could make growth periods more successful, but only if employees and customers have the necessary information to participate.
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