Many business owners are missing a trick when it comes to updating their system software. Sure, they have the most qualified staff. Their man hours account for a round the clock service. There are systems in place to ensure the company operates smoothly.Don’t get me wrong, all these things go a long way towards maximum efficiency. What good is that, though, when your system software remains trapped in a proverbial stone age?
A constant source of surprise for me is how many businesses look to cut corners and save money on their software. I mean, it does the job, right? Sure it does, but is that all you’re aspiring for? In a world where technology reigns supreme, it’s about time to get on board or get left behind.
Ask yourself just one question. Would you be satisfied if your employees performed just well enough to meet their minimum objectives? No, probably not. I’m sure you value the staff that take the initiative, go above and beyond, and rise above your expectations. That’s your source of pride, isn’t it? Seeing those that believe in your vision, and strive towards taking it even further.
The same is true of software. The most successful business brains have their finger on the pulse of technological developments. You see, they know that even the most model employee needs the right tools to thrive. And it’s true.
In this day and age, system software is every bit as important as those that are manning the ship. Perhaps even more so. Remember, a workman is only as good as his tools. Arming your staff with inadequate tools is not only hindering their progression – it’s hurting your bottom line.
I’m sure if you asked any executive in the world; they’d tell you that their utmost priority is to achieve – or maintain – efficiency. That is, or should be, the goal of any business with any kind of aspiration. Steering the ship towards calmer waters is the absolute minimum expectation.
So, why would you overlook arguably the most helping of hands available to you? It doesn’t make any kind of sense to me. So, how exactly do you tell if your business could desperately use a software upgrade? There are a few obvious signs that are often ignored entirely.
You’re delegating staff from different departments to help out
It seems innocuous enough, right? Where’s the harm in throwing a couple of customer service agents into the warehouse to help out during that busy boom period? Or drafting in a handful of warehouse operatives to assist your sales team?
While there’s nothing wrong with it, as such, it’s a red flag that your company isn’t running as smoothly as it should. It means you’re probably understaffed, or, more likely, the systems you have in place are inadequate.
The simple truth is that for every member of staff you take out of their comfort zone, you’re affecting your production line.
Think of a business as a railway line. Every connecting track is vital to ensuring a smooth transition. Sure, you could remove one piece of track and still reach every destination. But it’s going to take longer, use more resources, and your staff and customer base alike are going to grow frustrated. That’s not good for anyone or, above all, for you.
In a situation such as this, most business owners’ first thought would be to hire more staff. That isn’t necessarily the solution. In fact, I’m willing to bet that a far more likely reason for your sudden surge of collateral damage is down to ineffective software management. Cause and effect.
The beauty of the digital age is that, in most instances, the machines do the hard work for you.
Almost every corporate environment now relies heavily on their IT department. A cloud-based system is utterly and irrefutably essential. Before reaching for that pile of resumes on your desk, consider investing that salary in software upgrades. It will ultimately make your life – and the lives of your employees – a lot easier.
You have a human being physically processing data
You know what I’m going to say. Employing staff to input and process data that a computer could do itself is counterintuitive. Even just one member of staff tasked with compiling the data is eating up time and money better spent elsewhere.
And, I might add, they’re doing it less effectively than a machine could do itself. If that sounds like something that happens in your offices, maybe you should start thinking about getting with the times.
Almost all corporate technological advances have had an eye on time management and organization. The programmers know what you need and why. Let them help you. Besides, it’ll cost a damn sight less than the annual salary of that one employee. That isn’t to say that he or she is disposable.
Far from it. Rather, let them input the figures while the artificial intelligence crunches the numbers itself. That’s what it’s there for. And, might I add, without error. The time that employee saves can be spent assisting in other areas of need.
There are thousands of Database Management Systems (or DBMS for short) out there. Take a NoSQL system, for example, currently being utilized by some of the world’s leading businesses. MongoDB Atlas is a new system that combines the leading database provider with cloud computing capabilities. This is the future of database management. The more traditional data-driven software is dying out.
As with every other aspect of the world of business, technology is advancing at an alarming rate. Don’t be the one that gets left behind. If you give your competitor an inch, they’ll take a mile, and competing at this level is already challenging enough. Upgrade your system software to a NoSQL system such as MongoDB and train your staff on how to use it.
You could enrol them on a Simplilearn MongoDB online training course and kiss goodbye to spreadsheets forever. Believe me, that’ll put you a step ahead of the competition.
I hope you’re now convinced that efficient management is the only way forward. For more advice, check out our other specialized services to help you run your business smoothly.
