Operational Efficiency for Small Business: Tips for the Holidays Business
Author: A.J. O'Connell,Every year in the North Pole, Santa and his team pull off an impressive logistical feat—just imagine what their behind-the-scenes operation must look like. For many small businesses, the holiday season is almost as busy, but they can't depend on the help of elves, reindeer, Mrs. Claus and a host of other magic. Fortunately, there is something almost as good: technology. By making the most of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) and investing in tools to help your staff better collaborate, you can be a smooth operator like Kris Kringle himself. So, sit back and prepare to sleigh this holiday season with the following tips. The holidays are the perfect time to bring your employees together (wherever they are),Many small businesses are seeing the benefits of hybrid working arrangements—it broadens the pool of potential employees (even as far as the North Pole), of which many are willing to earn less for the chance to work remotely, on according to Robert Half. But the lack of face time can be a drawback. A 2022 Pew Research survey found feel less connected to their co-workers when they work from home. can help spread the festive cheer and allow your team to communicate and work together more effectively. For example, allows team members to connect through email, chat and video conferencing. And because all documents are stored on the cloud, multiple people can work on the same document at the same time making sharing and collaborating easier (as it should be during the holidays). New year, new you—say goodbye to manual, repetitive tasks,We've all made New Year's resolutions. Some stick, some don't. One way to help you find success in your goal of working smarter is to use automation and digitization tools. Small business owners around the U.S. say digital tools can , according to Bank of America's 2023 Small Business Owner Report. Some of the ways you can do this include:,Get the low-down on what your customers want,It can be hard knowing what to get your loved ones this time of year. We can't help you there, but can help you better understand what your customers want by sifting through vast amounts of data to identify trends and patterns and predict the outcome of your actions. Some of your small business colleagues (and competitors) may already use AI to guide their decision-making. One example to consider is fleet management. We're not sure how Santa works out the route for his reindeer, but can analyze your operations to identify ways to reduce costs, boost productivity, minimize maintenance and promote safety. Beware the Grinches,Holidays are a big deal for many people, including, unfortunately, cyberattackers. The holiday season is seen as an , according to a 2022 U.S. government cybersecurity advisory. It's crucial to remember threats can come not only via the internet but also mobile devices, including employees' personal phones. can combine a range of security tools, such as antivirus software with internet security and 24/7 security tech support. Also worth considering as a stocking filler is a bundle of easy-to-use for small businesses. Use secure credit card checkout readers,I know what you are thinking: No cyberattacks for me, thanks. I only do business in person. Sadly, you may not be safe from an attack even if you're strictly brick and mortar. Why? Anyone who accepts credit and debit cards is at risk. Traditional point-of-sale (POS) devices are vulnerable to card skimmers, and the POS world is changing with the advent of new published in November 2022 and alternative methods of paying (Tap to Pay and mobile wallets). By using a , you can streamline customer interactions, accept payments without being tied to one location and help keep your customers' payment data safe. Give yourself the gift of more time,The end of the year is the perfect time to evaluate how your business is operating—if only you had the time to do so. It makes sense. You are focused on your mission, growing your business and perfecting your product. However, digital solutions can help make your business run more smoothly. They save time, automate tedious tasks, and connect you with your customers and team members. At the end of the year, those are gifts you are probably most interested in receiving. The holiday season is a time for spreading joy, which is why next week's article on internet connectivity will be so interesting. Bank of America, , page 12. If you'd like to receive new articles, solutions briefs, whitepapers and more—just let us know. Choose your country to view contact details. Manage your account or get tools and information. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. 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