With 86% of SMBs stating they ‘strongly agree that technology is changing the industry’, Cisco has highlighted seven steps organisations can take to successfully manage their technology.
Cisco has highlighted seven steps which it says small and medium businesses can take to make it easier to manage their technology.
According to Cisco, SMBs contribute to half of global GDP and employ two thirds of the global workforce. And 86% of SMBs have said they ‘strongly agree’ that technology is changing the industry.
In an uncertain world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be hard for SMBs to know where to start when it comes to managing their technology, all while continuing to innovate, grow their business, improve operational efficiencies and improve customer experience.
With many SMBs grappling similar challenges, Cisco has outlined the following seven steps which will help guide organisations.
Step one) Develop a three-year digital technology roadmap aligned to your business goals, with expansion in mind.
Step two) Prioritise the critical business processes to automate. Examples include launch of new products and services; deliver better customer experience; improve financial forecasting; improve operations and service delivery.
Step three) Evaluate and right-size the technologies to invest in. Businesses need to invest in technologies like cloud, mobility, data analytics and security to differentiate themselves and become more efficient. Start with a realistic budget and scale up accordingly.
Step four) Invest in digital talent and skills. Attract talent and focus on employee training to upgrade skills.
Step five) Find the right technology partner for your journey. If you lack in-house IT expertise, look for a partner that offers consultancy and project management services.
Step six) Keep up with industry trends and best practices. Examples include attending technology events and webinars; participate in digital forums; use product assessment tools to guide your buying decisions.
Step seven) Simplify, start small, learn and scale. Choose technology that is simple, secure and reliable, and that can grow with you as your business grows.
