As always at the start of each year, there are predictions for small businesses. 2022 was the year of seismic change, brought forward by the pandemic and the need to flex and pivot to operate in a tough climate. In 2023, adaptability will be just as important as the cost-of-living crisis bites further and the costs of fuel, materials and supplies increase.
And while it is tempting, and unavoidable in many cases, that businesses firefight on a day-to-day basis, now is actually a good time, if at all possible, to pause and consider what your business could be doing better, more leanly and efficiently, to make the best possible success of 2023, and, crucially, be in line with what your customers want.
Business trends for 2023
According to the analysts, consumers in 2023 are refining their purchasing decisions and are looking for more sustainable choices, improved customer experience and increased digital functionality, that is, preferably, as green as possible.
Believe it or not, better use of IT and its management within your business can help with all these.
Sustainability that’s affordable
According to consumer research, sustainability and buying ethically is increasingly important to consumers, but they don’t want to ‘pay the Earth’ for it. Affordability is not just a nice-to-have, it’s an essential. And not just for consumers; for businesses buying from other businesses to, or the B2B market.
Managed IT helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint. From managed cloud provision, which, by the way, can help to reduce monthly operating costs, to remote help and support when things go wrong, which, in the long run saves money on the break-fix model.
How much downtime do you risk when you have an IT issue? It’s all a cost to your business and avoided by paying a small monthly amount that ensures an expert can remotely connect and help you when you have a problem.
The time for efficiency is now
Any improved efficiency when it comes to your IT use will reflect well on you.
What about all that duplicated paperwork and confused governance putting you at risk of mistakes and lack of accountability?
With a package of managed IT that gives you access to consultancy, a process expert will take a look at your systems to suggest more efficient ways of taking care of your essential admin and record keeping, while reducing the time spent by your team on laborious, legacy-inherited routines.
While these internal efficiencies, you may presume are of little interest to your customers, they enable you to better manage your costs, and pass on any savings, as well as help you to stay ahead of the game.
Shout about your IT adoptions and innovations
If you reduce your carbon footprint through better use of cloud, accounting, appointment making, delivery schedules – or whatever you use IT for to help with your customer fulfillment, experience and processes, your customers want to know about it.
Help sustainable-conscious consumers buy from you
It sounds obvious, but if you and a competitor supply the same goods or services, and the cost difference is marginal, there is a strong likelihood in 2023 that a customer will choose who is demonstrably doing the most in terms of driving efficiency and innovations in the planet’s best interests.
So, make sure you are talking about your better use of IT, your green digital credentials and any use of technology that helps you deliver service and positive experience.
Consumers demand deeper digital transformation
Consumers have returned to shopping instore, which means digital should ideally be accelerating to meet the needs of and reach new and existing customers.
Re-commerce and subscription commerce are models to be considered, as well as ensuring frictionless payments and processes. Online and offline means are merging but without the implementation of the right IT, the opportunities will pass you by.
Customer experience like WOW
It’s always been important, but consumers want the most superb experiences when they’re buying from you. From smoother-than-smooth purchases to augmented reality try-before-you-buy experiences, IT can help you discover the means to go the extra mile to WOW and impress.
Be authentic in your IT journey
Above all, your customers want to see and experience you, so if you increase adoption of IT in any capacity that benefits them, talk about it and be honest about what it’s done, and is doing, for your business and levels of customer satisfaction.
And if that means other businesses learn from you, it means you’re leading the way.
Want to talk about what managed IT can do for your business and its customers? Get in touch today with our friendly Cultrix IT experts.
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