As a business owner, you have so much to choose from when it comes to business technology. So much so, it can become overwhelming and frustrating. Implementing any new technology requires time, effort, and possible disruption to your business. One of your main goals when implementing your IT strategy should be to minimize any business downtime. This will enable you to so you can stay on track with your sales goals.
Here are some suggestions to make the process seamless and almost invisible to your customers.
Pick The Best Tools For Your Business
You want to start by actually developing an IT strategy. This should include any new software, hardware, and platforms you want to use in your business. Take time to review each one and identify the best tools that will increase productivity and sales. Once you identify the tools you want to use, conduct a cost analysis to see how it can fit into your budget.
After you completed the research and cost analysis write out a plan as to when you want to launch each new tool chosen. Try not to launch everything at once. If you do, you risk the chance of frustrating your employees and customers as they can become overwhelmed with too many new procedures being implemented at the same time.
Minimize System Downtime
Some of the new tools you select may require moments of downtime for parts of your business. If this is the case, you want to minimize the downtime, having the least impact on employees and customers. There are numerous IT management services like eSudo Technologies that have infinite experience of working with businesses.
If you choose to work with an IT Management company, it’s important they implicitly understand how your company functions and what is best for your company. Whether you are implementing a new technology or new infrastructure, the company you work with must also understand what touchstones they can avoid so your business isn’t negatively impacted.
Communicate With The Customer
If you anticipate any amount of downtime, the customer needs to know exactly what’s going on, and how long it’s going to last. Even if you think the customer won’t really notice, you still need to keep them informed. Not being forthcoming can result in a lack of trust.
Clearly, communicate with the customer what you’re planning to do and how long you project it to last. Sending an email out to the customer in advance, along with follow-up emails building up to the day the changes take effect will keep your customers in the loop. They will also feel as if they are part of the process. Another strategy – when possible as your customers for feedback on the process and how they like the updated changes.
Be Quick, But Thorough
Most business updates, like software patches and system updates, tend to be done quickly over a weekend. This results in minimal disruption, but as most businesses now operate in some capacity 24/7, there will be more disruption than you realize. Being quick doesn’t just mean rushing to bring everything online quickly. It’s also about implementing the strategies beforehand and doing dry runs, so everybody knows what’s going on. You will be used to see if there are any problems with the implementation. Work to get things done in a timely manner, but don’t leave any steps out of the process.
Whether it’s a system update, a new infrastructure, or unplugging the old computers and replacing them with new ones, disruption to the business can be minimized with a good IT strategy. In order to know if you have chosen the best technology for your company, you need to ensure, as with any new process, that it’s tested and prepared for adequately. System downtime cannot always be avoided, but if done right, your business won’t notice, and neither will your customers.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Executive and Leadership Coach. She is the President of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where she can help you up-level your skills, so you can up-level your income, career, business or life. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, personality assessments, and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more he about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net
