Listen to this Podcast
Using technology to help your business thrive during COVID-19 and beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate at which everyone — individuals and businesses alike — has adopted technology. Those companies who are able to incorporate new technologies are more likely to survive the pandemic and succeed in the years to come.
The grocery retail industry is a great example of how the pandemic has brought significant shifts through technological adoption. This spring there was a huge uptick in demand for online grocery ordering and curbside pickup services. Although the acceleration of grocery eCommerce adoption by consumers had been predicted, it occurred much sooner and more rapidly than expected, and many businesses were not prepared. Those who responded quickly by adopting new technologies to support customer demands weathered the storm and are now well-prepared for the years ahead.
Here are some examples of how your business can use technology to survive the pandemic — and to continue thriving in the future.
- If you’re in sales… Dial up your efficiency and effectiveness by adopting digital tools that allow you to reach more customers without requiring in-person meetings. Video conferencing solutions such as Zoom, Teams, Webex or BlueJeans, to name just a few, are a great addition to your toolkit. Customer relationship management (CRM) software is also an essential digital tool for successful salespeople. CRM systems are compatible with any operating budget. For example, Flowlu, FreshSales, HubSpot, Really Simple Systems, Suite, V-Tiger and YetiForce are all available in free versions that have ranked well by reviewers.
- If you’re in retail… The ability to process contactless payments is virtually a requirement in the post-pandemic world. Consumers are also becoming more comfortable with higher tap limits. According to a study by Moneris, 40% of all transactions are now contactless transactions over $100. There are many options out there. Shopify put out tap-enabled hardware earlier this year that accepts a variety of payment sources, and the Square Reader also accepts tap payments, to name just two. Research your options carefully to find the costs and features that are best for your business.
- If you’re a community-based business… Whether you are a clothing store, restaurant, service provider, realtor, contractor or arts organization, be sure to engage your community through online channels. Keep your business hours updated on Google, for example, and add to your website a description of the safety precautions you’re practicing. Use social media to remind people you’re still operating, even if it’s in a limited capacity, and to showcase how you’re giving back to the community.
Ramping up
It can be hard to get started with change. The good news is that there are many free or low-cost tech solutions out there. Take some time to research the tools that are right for you, and spend time getting to know new apps so you feel confident using them.
Your efforts could pay off more than you imagine. While technology is constantly changing and improving, the businesses that tend to thrive over the long term are those that embrace technology.
I may need your help. I tried many ways but couldn’t solve it, but after reading your article, I think you have a way to help me. I’m looking forward for your reply. Thanks.
Your article gave me a lot of inspiration, I hope you can explain your point of view in more detail, because I have some doubts, thank you.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
My spouse and I stumbled over here different web page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time.
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good site!
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
Can I simply say what a relief to discover a person that really knows what they’re talking about on the net. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular since you surely have the gift.
Whats up very nice blog!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also? I am glad to seek out numerous useful information here in the publish, we’d like develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Now I am going away to do my breakfast, when having my breakfast coming again to read more news.
Terrific article! This is the type of information that are meant to be shared around the web. Disgrace on the seek engines for not positioning this post upper! Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thank you =)
This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people do not speak about such topics. To the next! All the best!!
Строительство автомойки под ключ – это удобный способ получить готовый бизнес без хлопот. Мы предоставляем полный пакет услуг, от проектирования до запуска.
Hi to all, it’s actually a good for me to visit this website, it consists of precious Information.
Hi there all, here every one is sharing such knowledge, so it’s good to read this webpage, and I used to visit this weblog everyday.
Excellent blog here! Also your website quite a bit up fast! What host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link on your host? I desire my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve consider your stuff prior to and you’re simply too magnificent. I really like what you’ve obtained here, really like what you’re stating and the way by which you assert it. You are making it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your website. It looks like some of the text within your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Cheers
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
824047 190120baby strollers with high traction rollers need to be a lot safer to use compared to those with plastic wheels- 150885
436664 440434The posh distributed could be described as distinctive; customers are truly yearning for bags is a Native aspirations. Which strange surroundings is built that is to market diversity furthermore importance with travel and leisure market trends. hotels particular offers 475165
826033 959570you use a wonderful weblog here! do you need to have to make some invite posts on my blog? 743241
106280 223433Your talent is truly appreciated!! Thank you. You saved me a lot of frustration. I switched from Joomla to Drupal to the WordPress platform and Ive fully embraced WordPress. Its so considerably easier and easier to tweak. Anyway, thanks again. Awesome domain! 384653
270715 167313Wow, incredible weblog structure! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for? you produced running a blog look straightforward. The full appear of your website is great, properly the content material! 920554
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
155514 130702Awesome inkling Grace! ego was luxurious youd bring about this about your biz bump into upstanding lineage. We reason you! 304451
649698 398881Maintain up the great work , I read few weblog posts on this website and I believe that your website is real fascinating and has bands of great info . 861286
893975 878074I surely did not realize that. Learnt some thing new these days! Thanks for that. 487217
306316 515759I always was concerned in this topic and stock still am, regards for posting . 293249
15393 37754I just put the link of your blog on my Facebook Wall. very nice blog indeed.,-, 315277
429535 983855This is going to be a fantastic web internet site, will you be involved in doing an interview regarding how you developed it? If so e-mail me! 217104