Make 2023 A Great Year For Business
With 3 Tech Resolutions
The new year is upon us, and many business owners will use this opportunity to create plans to ensure that 2023 is as profitable as possible.
You can devise all kinds of business resolutions you want to focus on during the year, but most of the time, business owners think about key performance indicators like sales opportunities, customer loyalty or referrals.
Still, while these are vital, it’s just as important to include resolutions relating to new technological advancements.
You can see growth in many different areas when you improve the technology within your business. Some improvements will help you make each experience better for your customers, while others will allow you to save time and money.
If you’re unsure of what tech resolutions to make, don’t panic; we’re here to help!
You can devise all kinds of business resolutions you want to focus on during the year, but most of the time, business owners think about key performance indicators like sales opportunities, customer loyalty or referrals.
Still, while these are vital, it’s just as important to include resolutions relating to new technological advancements.
You can see growth in many different areas when you improve the technology within your business. Some improvements will help you make each experience better for your customers, while others will allow you to save time and money.
If you’re unsure of what tech resolutions to make, don’t panic; we’re here to help!
Here are three tech resolutions to think about in 2023 – they will help you both improve and protect your business.
Improve Your Cybersecurity Practices
It’s no secret that technology is constantly evolving, but many people fail to realize that cybercriminals are also evolving. Every business, regardless of size, needs to be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to avoid having a cyber-attack.
If you don’t have cybersecurity practices in place – or it’s been some time since you last considered this – you should review your current needs and make any necessary updates.
One of the best ways to improve your cybersecurity practices is to run your team through annual or semiannual cybersecurity training.
Improve Your Cybersecurity Practices
It’s no secret that technology is constantly evolving, but many people fail to realize that cybercriminals are also evolving. Every business, regardless of size, needs to be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to avoid having a cyber-attack.
If you don’t have cybersecurity practices in place – or it’s been some time since you last considered this – you should review your current needs and make any necessary updates.
One of the best ways to improve your cybersecurity practices is to run your team through annual or semiannual cybersecurity training.
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According to Verizon’s 2022 Data Breaches Investigations Report, 82% of data breaches involved a human element. If your team is well-trained in cyber security and has bought into a cyber secure culture, your business will be less at risk. Make sure they know the importance of password security, the different types of cyber-attacks and how to protect sensitive business and customer information.
Utilize A Managed Services Provider (MSP)
There was once a time when businesses used in-house IT teams to take care of all of their technology needs, but this is no longer the most efficient or affordable way to do things.
Now businesses use MSPs to handle most of their technological affairs. MSPs are well-known for their ability to help with any technological needs since their teams are usually full of well-informed experts. They can take care of everything on the technology side of your business so you can focus more on boosting sales and pleasing customers.
If your business experiences power outages or natural disasters, MSPs will work around the clock to get you back up and running. They even ensure your data is backed up in case disaster does strike. If you’re worried about cyberattacks, there’s no better way to protect your business and its data than by hiring an MSP.
According to Verizon’s 2022 Data Breaches Investigations Report, 82% of data breaches involved a human element. If your team is well-trained in cyber security and has bought into a cyber secure culture, your business will be less at risk. Make sure they know the importance of password security, the different types of cyber-attacks and how to protect sensitive business and customer information.
Utilize A Managed Services Provider (MSP)
There was once a time when businesses used in-house IT teams to take care of all of their technology needs, but this is no longer the most efficient or affordable way to do things.
Now businesses use MSPs to handle most of their technological affairs. MSPs are well-known for their ability to help with any technological needs since their teams are usually full of well-informed experts. They can take care of everything on the technology side of your business so you can focus more on boosting sales and pleasing customers.
If your business experiences power outages or natural disasters, MSPs will work around the clock to get you back up and running. They even ensure your data is backed up in case disaster does strike. If you’re worried about cyberattacks, there’s no better way to protect your business and its data than by hiring an MSP.
They monitor your network security and keep patches up-to-date to prevent hackers from accessing your information.
Hiring an MSP may be the best thing you can do to protect your business.
Implement Artificial Intelligence Into Your Business
Prepare yourself for the AI boom in 2023. Throughout the past few years, many businesses have utilized AI to boost their profits and customer satisfaction scores, but the uses and benefits of AI will grow significantly this year. In fact, you’ll soon notice AI being used in new and beneficial ways in the health care and automotive industries.
If you aren’t using any form of AI in your business, you should immediately look into it. You can implement an AI chatbot on your website to provide personalized conversation and help your customer with their questions or needs. Some AI software will even track customers as they peruse your website and offer them product suggestions, which can help improve your sales scores.
The New Year is the perfect time to reset, reevaluate and plan to ensure 2023 is a successful year for you and your business. If you are unsure about where to start, try implementing some of the tech resolutions listed here. They’ll quickly help you grow your business and keep it protected from cyber security risks.
"According to Verizon’s 2022 Data Breaches Investigations Report,
82% of data breaches involved a human element."
82% of data breaches involved a human element."
FREE Report Download: The Business Owner’s Guide To IT Support Services And Fees
You'll learn:
• The three most common ways IT companies charge for their services and the pros and cons of each approach.
• A common billing model that puts ALL THE RISK on you, the customer, when buying IT services; you’ll learn what it is and why you need to avoid agreeing to it.
• Exclusions, hidden fees and other “gotcha” clauses IT companies put in their contracts that you DON’T want to agree to.
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You'll learn:
• The three most common ways IT companies charge for their services and the pros and cons of each approach.
• A common billing model that puts ALL THE RISK on you, the customer, when buying IT services; you’ll learn what it is and why you need to avoid agreeing to it.
• Exclusions, hidden fees and other “gotcha” clauses IT companies put in their contracts that you DON’T want to agree to.
• How to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting to avoid disappointment, frustration and added costs later on that you didn’t anticipate.
Claim your FREE copy today! Visit bensingerconsulting.com/buyersguide/
Want To Learn Something New?
Use These 5 Practical Tips
Have you ever noticed how some entrepreneurs go from being dirt-poor to becoming self-made billionaires? You probably wondered how they did it. Personally, I don’t think they found success by being smarter, more hardworking or even luckier than the rest of us. I believe many super-successful leaders get there by learning better than the rest of us. Over the years, I have developed five practical ways to learn something new in business based on my experience.
Reading 10 Books.
It’s easy. Go to Amazon, type in the topic you want to master and read the 10 top-selling books in that category. Pay attention to the words and concepts that seem to matter the most.
Attending The Best Workshop On The Topic
When learning about predictive analytics, I bought the book Predictive Analytics by Eric Siegel. I learned the author hosted a massive conference on this topic, with the fitting name “Predictive Analytics,” so I went to it.
Interviewing Experts For Advice
I decided I wanted to learn more about digital marketing a year ago. Many of our clients were struggling with the increasing digitization of demand creation, and I wondered how this trend might impact our own business in the future. Rather than interviewing 10 experts, I made a target list and used referrals to interview over 100 experts on this topic.
People are happy to have a 30-minute discussion about their favorite subjects to help you learn. You know you’re getting your head around a topic when you start to hear the same buzzwords and pieces of advice again and again.
Reading 10 Books.
It’s easy. Go to Amazon, type in the topic you want to master and read the 10 top-selling books in that category. Pay attention to the words and concepts that seem to matter the most.
Attending The Best Workshop On The Topic
When learning about predictive analytics, I bought the book Predictive Analytics by Eric Siegel. I learned the author hosted a massive conference on this topic, with the fitting name “Predictive Analytics,” so I went to it.
Interviewing Experts For Advice
I decided I wanted to learn more about digital marketing a year ago. Many of our clients were struggling with the increasing digitization of demand creation, and I wondered how this trend might impact our own business in the future. Rather than interviewing 10 experts, I made a target list and used referrals to interview over 100 experts on this topic.
People are happy to have a 30-minute discussion about their favorite subjects to help you learn. You know you’re getting your head around a topic when you start to hear the same buzzwords and pieces of advice again and again.
Hiring Someone As A Mentor Or Partner
You probably know a topic that an expert in another field would love to learn. Consider doing a “mentor swap” where you agree to exchange advice and pick each other’s brains a couple of times a year. The only thing better than having an expert mentor is to hire an expert full time.
Leading A Project You have heard the expression “The best way to learn something is to teach it.” I’ve witnessed many clients and colleagues volunteer to run a project in an area of interest. In many cases, they were experts when they started the project, but immersing themselves in the topic and working toward delivering results in that area significantly boosted their expertise.
I have witnessed many leaders stall out in their careers. Most of the time, they get set in their ways and stop learning. If you want to keep thriving, adapting and innovating in your career, consider following these five tactics for learning something new.
Dr. Geoff Smart is the chairman and founder of ghSMART, a leadership consulting firm that exists to help leaders amplify their positive impact on the world. Dr. Smart and his firm have published multiple New York Times bestsellers.
He stays active in his community and has advised many government officials.
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2 Ways To Refine Work Relationships With Young Employees
The workforce gets younger every day, which can make things more challenging for business owners.
Many have recently adapted to meet the needs of new millennial employees, but now even younger generations have started to work. This has required business owners to learn how to build meaningful relationships with these new employees. Here are a few ways you can do this, too.
Setting Standards Early
One of the most significant concerns for business owners, especially in regard to young employees, revolves around values. It can be hard if values don’t align. To avoid this situation, dive deep into this topic during the hiring process so you are well aware ahead of time.
The workforce gets younger every day, which can make things more challenging for business owners.
Many have recently adapted to meet the needs of new millennial employees, but now even younger generations have started to work. This has required business owners to learn how to build meaningful relationships with these new employees. Here are a few ways you can do this, too.
Setting Standards Early
One of the most significant concerns for business owners, especially in regard to young employees, revolves around values. It can be hard if values don’t align. To avoid this situation, dive deep into this topic during the hiring process so you are well aware ahead of time.
Giving Young Employees Responsibility
Young employees want their work to matter and their voices to be heard. Once you get them through onboarding and you’re comfortable with their skills, give them a chance to prove themselves.
Improve Your Sales Team And Grow Your Business
It’s no secret that sales can make or break any business. Without a strong sales plan and team in place, it’s difficult to bring in any profit or move your products.
If your business has struggled to reach its sales goals, you must reevaluate your sales process and make any necessary adjustments. Check out the following three pieces of advice to help you get started.
Discover Your Company’s Vision
Where do you want your business to be in five to ten years? How will you get there? You need to figure this out and get your sales team to buy into your vision so they can help your business reach its goals.
Young employees want their work to matter and their voices to be heard. Once you get them through onboarding and you’re comfortable with their skills, give them a chance to prove themselves.
Improve Your Sales Team And Grow Your Business
It’s no secret that sales can make or break any business. Without a strong sales plan and team in place, it’s difficult to bring in any profit or move your products.
If your business has struggled to reach its sales goals, you must reevaluate your sales process and make any necessary adjustments. Check out the following three pieces of advice to help you get started.
Discover Your Company’s Vision
Where do you want your business to be in five to ten years? How will you get there? You need to figure this out and get your sales team to buy into your vision so they can help your business reach its goals.
