How to Make Your Business More Tech Savvy

September 5, 2018


By Jason Eisenberg

Community Program Manager for Office Depot

Some people love being the hero for all incidents, but as a business owner it’s important to step back and look at the bigger picture – and to do this, you need to find those small chunks of time. But if you’re running around fixing one small problem after another, how and when will you find that time to grow your vision? Well, you’re in 2020 now and there’s more and more technological solutions available to small businesses that can help level the playing field when it comes to humanpower and how much time there is in a day. We’ll address how to increase productivity, improve employee morale and provide peace of mind through the use of mobile technology – all so you can find more time to focus on the growth of your product, service or business.  

Increased p​roductivity means more time for what matters

When it takes less time to get something done, it’s like finding an extra 20 dollars in your pocket. You’ve been there – maybe a conference call ended earlier than expected or someone pulled the fire alarm at your office building and bam, your whole mentality shifts from “I have to slog through the day-to-day” to “I have this extra time, where can I put it to use and push the needle forward?”

Using the right mobile technology throughout your business can give you that feeling, that time – and you don’t even have to pay someone to pull that fire alarm 😉.

Laptops

Let’s start with the basics – you need a point of access to all parts of your business. With mobile technology, you can do it from your home office, the local coffee shop (tip your server, please), the airport or wherever life takes you. Choosing the right laptop for you and your business can be daunting, like looking for a new car. Some of it should be based on your personal style, and the rest should be based around your day-to-day operations as a business owner.

The Lenovo ThinkPad was named the ‘best business laptop overall for 2020’ by Laptop Mag because of it’s long battery life (on 1080p), best-in-class keyboard, sleek design and noted durability. If you’re a mobile worker or business owner, your back will also be delighted to know it weighs a mere 2.5 pounds.

Browse here for more laptops and computers suited for your business’ needs. To protect your investments for added peace of mind, Office Depot provides 24/7 tech support to ensure you don’t waste time getting frustrated at a blank screen, as well as SquareTrade protection, which can provide quick repairs or replacements for your business.

Project management and communication with a mobile workforce

According to Inc., Millennials make up about 50% of United States workforce and 75% of them believe a work-from-home or remote policy is important to their work-life integration. If this is the case in your business and you still need to be connected to your team, a great way to provide both freedom and a teamwork-friendly setting is by utilizing cloud storage, as well as communication tools for active collaboration.  

Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium is my go-to for business document creation and storage with 1TB of storage on OneDrive. It also comes with ransomware detection, file recovery and 24/7 phone and web support. What’s great about the Business Premium version is that it includes a communication app called Teams, which overtook Slack as my favorite communication app that provides file storage, instant messaging, push notifications, video calls, screenshare capabilities, interactive calendar and more.

Remote workers are the futu… they’re here now

A Forbes article shares a survey that shows about 77% were more productive when working remotely. Also, more remote workers are less likely to take time off, use sick days and aren’t opposed to spending a little extra time on a project if there’s no commute to be made.

The fabled belief that collaboration and communication suffer from a telecommuting workforce is just that. Even when given the chance to communicate face-to-face, many still also use communication tools like Skype, Teams, Slack or Trello. In fact, a study by ManpowerGroup Research, shared by Dynamic Signal indicates 79% of Millennials make flexible working a top five priority.

Your business can grow with a mobile workforce

Apart from an uptick in morale per a report from Indeed, many studies find productivity increases along with it. This is because your employees are more likely to go the ‘extra mile’ and are more likely to stick with your business for longer stints. Increased productivity and higher retention rates are not the only answers, but they are necessary cogs in the sustainability and growth of your business. 

References and Resourc​es:

Indeed Report: Remote Work Brings Benefits but Attitudes Are Divided

Here’s Why Remote Workers Are More Productive Than In-House Teams

The Workplace of the Future Is Almost Here

Key Statistics About Millennials in the Workplace

Best Business Laptops 2020


About the Author

Jason Eisenberg is the Community Program Manager for Office Depot, specializing in small business and entrepreneurship. Based in one of the most exciting cities for startups — Austin, TX — Jason is plugged into the business community, often connecting with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and strategists to help identify and find solutions to common pain points all business owners share.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is,” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.