Technology plays an increasingly important role in determining the success of businesses from larger corporations to smaller businesses, startups and entrepreneurial ventures. However, entrepreneurial ventures and startups can especially benefit from properly leveraging technology such as a virtual PBX system.
Writing for Business 2 Community, contributor and technology professional Bryan Goode recently noted the growing use of technology in small businesses. He cited data from tech giant Dell, which found that 82 percent of small businesses across numerous markets believe that access to and effective leveraging of technology is essential for success and business growth. An additional 42 percent indicated that their corporate technology needs continue to grow in complexity. Goode explained that this data clearly shows why small businesses need to utilize technology to grow, but they also need to understand how tech capabilities can be leveraged on a restricted budget.
Goode outlined four of the best business technology initiatives that entrepreneurs and small business owners can pursue to ensure continued success through the remainder of 2013:
- Construct a company website and establish a web presence
- Set up business email
- Adopt the cloud for phone communications with a virtual business phone system
- Acquire trusted IT support
Technology is the Key to Success
While mobile phones can and should be used for regular business operations and daily tasks, one mistake that new businesses often make is not setting up a professional business line, according to Goode.
“It shows lack of professionalism to prospects and customers and the service can be unreliable,” Goode wrote. “Establishing a business number also projects a professional look and feel that can give even the smallest, home-based businesses the feel of a large corporation with hundreds of employees. By using a cloud-based virtual phone system of application, small businesses can create a professional number, integrate automated call answering and routing capabilities, and offer easy to use web-based digital voicemail, all of which can be easily implemented within a business’s website and social media platforms.”
Goode outlined additional benefits of a virtual phone system, including:
- Projecting a consistent professional image
- The ability to manage a business phone number from a mobile device
- Providing callers with a simple and easy to use menu of choices
- Routing calls appropriately to existing phones
- Enabling real-time communication for customer support
In a recent Forbes article, contributor Eric T. Wagner outlined numerous traits of entrepreneurs who are particularly successful in their endeavors. Making the list was the ability to communicate, and Wagner noted that communication has the ability to affect influence, relationships and results. By implementing PBX for business from AccessDirect, savvy entrepreneurs can ensure optimal communication and grow their business.
Furthermore, a hosted PBX system can be an excellent way to cut costs as the provider will also help manage communications and resolve any technical problems that may surface. This means that small businesses can leverage virtual phone service while also acquiring trusted IT support, which Goode noted is important for leveraging technology for business growth.
