Blog your way to business success

With new research* showing that the UK small business community is being left behind in adopting and utilising new technologies for business, Bibby Financial Services is urging owners and managers to review their IT infrastructure and invest in getting it up to date, or risk losing out to the competition.

The research reveals just 23 per cent of small businesses feel confident in their knowledge and understanding of new tools such as blogs, podcasts and Really Simple Syndication (RSS). In addition, a second nation-wide study** shows over a fifth of small and medium sized businesses are missing out on commercial opportunities because of their failure to adopt new technologies and update their IT infrastructure.

David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, explains: ìWith the growth of new technologies within the business environment, small firms need to follow market trends or get left behind. Owners and managers who conquer their fear of the unknown, and take the plunge into new technologies, will find themselves rewarded with access to new customers, increased market share and greater profitability.î

To help owners and managers get their IT systems in shape, Bibby Financial Services has developed the following ëtop tipsí for business owners and managers:

Budget for IT ñ treat technology as an important part of your business and allocate funds accordingly. Include IT as a separate cost in yearly budgets to ensure you are covered for any IT upgrades or new software that may be required.

Broaden your horizons ñ broadband has revolutionised the workplace, providing not only high-speed Internet access, but the ability to reduce telephony costs. There are many providers offering great introductory deals and UK coverage is almost complete.

Always online ñ having access to emails away from the office through smart phones or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) can be advantageous as they allow you to instantly respond to new business enquiries or customer queries, regardless of location.

Get on the web ñ research*** shows only 55 per cent of businesses have a website that promotes their products and services. Having a website can be a simple, relatively cheap and effective way to increase exposure for your business to a worldwide audience, 24 hours a day.

Seek software solutions ñ there are many cost-effective software packages that could save you money. For example, inexpensive accountancy software can complete complex calculations, simplify invoicing and give a professional appearance to paperwork, while saving you valuable time.

Secure software ñ one area which cannot be skimped on is IT security. Anti-virus screening and the installation of a firewall is today considered essential to protect valuable customer and financial data from computer hackers and virus attacks.

Get licenses ñ businesses risk prosecution and heavy fines if they operate software without the correct licenses. Make sure all software is original and registered and ban staff from installing unauthorised software on computers.

IT support ñ purchasing computer equipment and software from well-known and established suppliers is highly recommended as after sales support will usually be available. Also check what guarantees your supplier will provide and whether they offer any discounts on future upgrades.

Essential equipment ñ unsuitable IT equipment costs businesses in terms of time and productivity. Try to conduct individual assessments for each employee to establish their technology needs and tailor the IT you provide them accordingly. For example, it could be far more cost-effective to supply a laptop rather than desktop PC for an employee who spends a long periods away from the office.

Robertson concludes: ìWhile the amount of ëmust haveí technologies can be bewildering, finding those that suit your business model neednít be as daunting as you may think. There are many organisations offering free help and advice on choosing IT solutions and implementing strategies to streamline your business and give you the edge on the competition.î

*UK Business Barometer (UKBB), May 2006
**Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) ñ Startups ñ May 2006
***Small Business Services ñ The Mail on Sunday, 14th May 2006