Technology | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer

5 Ways Technology Is Making Niche Businesses More Accessible

November 14, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

In the past, niche businesses were largely limited to brick-and-mortar locations. This made it difficult for people who lived outside of major metropolitan areas to find and purchase products from these businesses. However, technology has made it easier for niche businesses to reach a larger audience, regardless of geographic location. Here are five ways technology is making niche businesses more accessible:

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1. Online Shopping

One of the most obvious ways that technology has made niche businesses more accessible is by providing a platform for online shopping. In the past, people who wanted to purchase items from a niche business had to either visit the brick-and-mortar location or find a retailer that carried the product. Now, thanks to online shopping, people can purchase items directly from the source, no matter where they live. Online shopping has also made it easier for niche businesses to reach international customers, expanding their market even further.

2. Social Media

Social media has also played a role in making niche businesses more accessible. In the past, word-of-mouth was the primary way that people learned about new businesses. While word-of-mouth is still an important marketing tool, social media has amplified its reach. Thanks to social media, people can learn about new businesses with just a few clicks of a button. Social media can also be used to connect directly with niche businesses, allowing customers to voice their opinions and ask questions.

3. Seo And Content Marketing

SEO and content marketing have also helped to make niche businesses more accessible. In the past, it was difficult for small businesses to compete with larger companies when it came to search engine ranking and visibility. However, SEO and content marketing have leveled the playing field, allowing small businesses to reach a wider audience through organic search traffic.

4. Websites And E-Commerce Platforms

Websites and e-commerce platforms have also played a key role in making niche businesses more accessible. These tools allow small businesses to create an online presence that is just as professional and polished as those of larger companies. As a result, consumers feel confident shopping from niche businesses, no matter how small they may be. For example, if you’re in the real estate industry, you could use a company like Easy Agent PRO to ensure that your website is professional and functional. A website can also be used to generate leads, accept payments, and market to customers.

5. Shipping And Fulfillment Services

Finally, shipping and fulfillment services have also helped to make niche businesses more accessible. In the past, many small businesses were limited to selling products locally because they didn’t have the resources to ship their products long distances. However, there are now many shipping and fulfillment services that cater specifically to small businesses, making it easy for them to reach a global audience.

In conclusion, there are many ways that technology has made niche businesses more accessible. Whether it’s online shopping, social media, SEO and content marketing, websites and e-commerce platforms, or shipping and fulfillment services, these tools have opened up new opportunities for small businesses to reach a larger audience and thrive in today’s digital economy.

Technologies Changing Manufacturing Processes

April 19, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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For most of us, manufacturing happens behind closed doors on the factory floor, but that doesn’t mean fast innovation isn’t taking place. On the contrary, manufacturing is one of the key areas of innovation as businesses strive to use more technology to enhance products at lower costs.

Smart Factories

As with smart homes, smart factories are taking th world by storm. In a smart home, everything is integrated and automated, and the technology used is advancing all the time. Similarly, on the factory floor, all the latest technologies are used together to increase production times overall.

Technologies such as augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things are used to connect design to the production of products. Smart factories are proving to be incredibly fast and cheaper than older models. They can also produce more optimal results.

Embedded Metrology

Embedded meteorology is the process of testing machine parts in the production line, increasing the viability of parts and reducing the risk of faults. In the past, machine parts had to be individually tested; if one part passed, the entire batch was validated, but that’s not efficient.

Instead, embedded metrology test parts to a high degree while they are being made; each individual part is tested and verified, so the risk of faults is lower. This technology enhances the production process and reduces costs. It also increases the reliability of the final product.

Fast 3D Printing

3D printing has been around for some time now, but it hasn’t fully taken off in the manufacturing sector; the reason is the cost. Although 3D printing is fast and produces excellent results, it’s still more expensive than conventional factory manufacturing. That’s until fast 3D printing came in.

Fast 3D printing uses an ultrafast inkjet head that layers material quickly; it also has a thermal devive to dry the material. The combination of these two faster processes produces 3D printed parts 100 times as quickly as conventional processes. Additionally, this method is also cheaper.

Steady Rest Technology

Businesses that use machined parts, such as the automotive industry, the aerospace industry, the manufacturing industry, and other heavy industries, need tooled products that are reliable and high-quality. But sometimes, this isn’t the case, especially when parts are mass-produced.

Stead rest technology is an innovative solution. This approach narrows the angle on many of the awkward places of machined parts and makes minor adjustments to improve its strength and reliability. In a short time, Steady Rest Technology has become indispensable in the factory.

Light-Based Technology

While on the subject of micro-manufacturing processes, it’s worth taking a look at light-based technologies. These technologies are overtaking conventional robotic arms in the manufacture of small component parts like computer chips for smartphones. It’s innovative and precise.

The trouble is that component parts such as computer chips continue to shrink and are fast becoming too nano for the cumbersome robots. Now, special light can be used to manipulate tiny materials inside a liquid to create smaller parts at a lower cost. The perfect combination.

Using Technology to Support Your Business Growth Strategy

November 3, 2020 by Lauren Wiseman Leave a Comment

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Yes, employees are the backbone of your business, and their hard work, loyalty, and productivity are the key ingredients in the long-term success of your company. Innovation, on the other hand, fuels your employees’ productivity and engagement, so relying on the latest tech solutions in your operations can make all the difference in your ability to grow your presence.

Now more than ever, companies have realized just how essential certain tech and digital tools can be. As soon as we’ve started responding to the pandemic, more companies have transitioned to working remotely, which itself requires advanced software solutions to empower your teams to stay productive.

With that new knowledge and awareness, you can begin to utilize technology to boost your business growth more than ever. Here, we’ve listed a few key ways you can put tech solutions to use and enable your employees to thrive, as well as your organization to grow in a manageable, scalable way.

Boosting cybersecurity across the board

Doing business online and communicating with customers via digital platforms calls for greater investment in cybersecurity. Without protecting your business and customer sensitive information and keeping all of your interactions secure, as well as all of your transactions, you risk tarnishing your reputation. Business growth requires inspiring trust and of course, ensuring data protection for all those who share their data with you.

You can utilize tech tools to boost cybersecurity in your business. From software solutions such as antivirus and antimalware tools, to web filtering, and hardware and software firewalls, your business does need robust protection from hackers, and tech is the best bet against malicious threats.

Improving client or customer satisfaction

Regardless of the type of business or organization you run, how you look after your clients or customers matters. From erp for universities so that you provide the best student experience possible, to CRMs that help manage customer expectations from lead to paying customer, there are plenty of ways in which technology is helpful in improving customer satisfaction levels.

Expanding your financial potential

As you already know, your business growth heavily depends on your financial potential and the stability of your cashflow. With that in mind, you can utilize technology to make sure you grow your finances, and thus grow your business in various ways. For example, as cryptocurrencies become more widespread, investing in bitcoin mining is a brilliant way to grow your company’s financial stability.

These currencies are becoming more promising and their application more accepted in different transactions, so building up your business finances in various assets can be extremely helpful for your growth. You can use bitcoin as a perk for employees, and you can adapt your business to accept bitcoin payments for your products or services, thus expanding your customer base. Bitcoin trading is another worthy endeavor for modern businesses, so consider that as another benefit of your initial mining efforts.

Cloud computing solutions to the rescue

Remote or not, your business needs a scalable way to grow, otherwise you will find yourself facing all kinds of infrastructure and storage complications when the time comes to expand your business. That is why all modern-day businesses nowadays utilize cloud computing solutions for smarter storage, improved cybersecurity, but also for the sake of scalable growth.

The cloud is so much more than just a safe place to store your files. It enables your company to seamlessly run various software applications without delays and interferences, and it provides a secure platform for employee collaboration. They can work on documents in real time, remotely, and waste no time on exchanging versions of the same document, thus preserving productivity and that natural creative flow.

Social media for your online presence

Your customers are online practically all the time, allowing them to interact with your business on versatile platforms, including your social media pages and profiles. Why not make the most of this simple solution to build customer engagement and grow your online presence? So many social media strategies can be implemented entirely free of charge, aside from paid and sponsored posts and advertising, that is.

By crafting an effective content strategy for your social media, you have the opportunity to build audience engagement, and grow your authority in your industry. Don’t forget to use social networks for all their worth: as advertising platforms, content publishing, but also for customer support. Encourage people to ask questions and reach out to your brand via messaging applications, and you’ll enhance your interactions even more.

VoIP for remote work stability

If your organization is relatively new to the notion of remote work, and you’ve only just switched to this model, you know that it has its hurdles. Ongoing communication without delays, tracking customer interactions, and spotting issues in how your brand message is conveyed to your target audience is impossible without a structure in place. Voice over internet protocol (or VoIP) technology enables that structure for remote work.

Your support teams can do their jobs easily wherever they are, while they can easily communicate with the rest of your employees from marketing or sales via the same platform. Using just your stable internet connection, you can boost the quality of your interactions and ensure that your remote teams are properly equipped to work sans the stress.

Building a tech-based infrastructure for a wide array of different operations will help your employees make the most of their time at work, while empowering work-life balance at the same time. Technology allows businesses to connect with customers, create engaging content, find and build invaluable financial resources, and ultimately grow. Let tech take your brand forward and you’ll find those growing pains much easier to manage over time.

Don’t Let Technology Hurt Your Productivity

December 29, 2019 by Keith Coppersmith Leave a Comment

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Whether you’re a business owner working with a dozen employees or you’re a solopreneur working from home, we all rely on technology every single day in an effort to be more productive. We use different digital tools to automate certain business processes, we communicate via digital channels with our clients as well as our colleagues, and we strive to use a range of project management software solutions to make sure we’re on top of all of our tasks and deadlines. In the rush to find the latest tech product that promises to boost productivity, many businesses fail to notice that some of these decisions can actually hinder their performance.

It all depends on how you implement these solutions, and how you train yourself as well as your employees to use them. While every business and every person has unique needs and preferences, there are certain tech-based commonalities that can jeopardize our productivity. Here are a few to keep in mind, alongside solutions that will help you solve and prevent productivity issues in the future.

Digital distractions

As soon as your phone alerts you of a new text message or an email, your brain responds even if you choose to ignore the notification. Alas, it’s too late for your brain, since the distraction has already prevented your mind from seamlessly directing its attention towards the task at hand. To be more precise, it can take as much as 23 minutes to restore your focus after a digital distraction.

Although communication depends on digital tools, reducing your number of active notifications and alerts can make a tremendous impact on your productivity. Screen your calls, mute your social media, and schedule communication slots such as email correspondence so that you can truly focus on the task at hand.

Equipment malfunctions

One of the main perks of using tech in the workplace is to save time on menial tasks, automate a range of different processes, and simplify communication to reduce delays. All in all, it’s all about greater efficacy. Businesses also rely on tech to create and provide entire services, from customer support, web development, to content creation and graphic design. If your key people end up with a computer that’s on a rampage or a security threat, you have to deal with the issue immediately to save time and reduce your losses.

One of the simplest ways to stay on top of your tech needs is to allow an experienced IT provider such as Computer Emergency to keep an eye on your systems, spot any issues and resolve them in time, and protect your data with advanced security measures. Letting someone who’s an expert in the field handle your equipment can prevent unwanted emergency situations and protect your productivity every day.

Security risks

A business can only be productive when work is done in a safe and secure environment, including its digital realm. Most, if not all businesses today rely on their internet connection to communicate during the day, to complete projects, and to answer customer queries. Remove the internet connection, and you suddenly have an office in chaos. However, that very same internet connection provides an opportunity for hackers to penetrate your network and wreak havoc on your systems and steal your data.

Such security breaches are more than enough to rob you of hours of productive work since you need to work on mitigating the problem immediately. Smart devices are only as smart as the people who use them, so make sure that your employees are well-versed in the latest cybersecurity preventative measures that will help them make smarter decisions when using the internet and their tech. This is a pivotal issue for any business today, and it will not only save your reputation, but also your day-to-day business efficacy.

The oversaturation of tech at work

Sitting at your office desk means that you’re surrounded by various seemingly helpful items such as your laptop, your tablet, your smartphone, and perhaps a slew of other gadgets that promise streamlined work. Alas, research has shown that even the presence of your smartphone can decrease your cognitive capacity, since the object’s vicinity is enough to cause you to be distracted, anticipate notifications, calls, messages, and regularly glance at it from your workstation. Although it’s not productive to ban phones altogether, either, you can start by reducing the number of tech tools you have at your disposal.

Perhaps it’s time to put away your phone into your jacket or your drawer. Maybe your tablet won’t be necessary until it’s time for a pitch or a presentation, so you can stick to your laptop only. This will help you avoid that brain-drain and sustain your focus in order to be productive during your work hours.

Yes, the emergence of different digital and tech-based solutions has enabled us to grow new business ideas and develop our careers immeasurably. However, there are certain pitfalls of technology that too many driven professionals fail to notice in time, and it can cost them their productivity and their reputation down the line. Use these pointers to keep an eye on your own behaviors with technology, so that you can build a more beneficial relationship with all of your tools and preserve your productivity in the process.

Technological Ignorance Could Be Killing Law Firms

May 18, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Legal Firm Technology Ignorance

Technology has been one of those explosions that has seen the majority of industries rejoice at the new-found freedom, adaptability, and ease of operating tech has given them. But this sense of happiness hasn’t transcended across all business-types, as the legal sector proves. For many law firms, there is a feeling of fear their age-old, traditional and (dare we say) archaic practice is under threat.

But it’s not the technology they should be worried about, it’s being slow in their adoption of tech that will be the real competition divider. Not all lawyers are going to follow every new technological trend. We get that. However, understanding the trends is absolutely essential if they are going to remain competitive.

So, without further ado, here are some top technological trends within the legal field and, even more importantly, how you should be using this tech:

1) Budgets Made Better

A huge part of part of planning amongst law firms is being able to budget effectively, which is something technology encourages by helping firms become more proactive. It’s about moving away from the break-fix mentality that so many of the older professions still have.

2) Train Them In Tech

While a good craftsman never blames his tools, it’s pretty darn important to accept a piece of technology is only going to be as effective as the person using it, which is why there has been a growing interest in training over recent years. As one study pointed out, when technology “fails”, it’s very rarely the technology that’s the issue. As such, training your employees on how to use the latest tech should become a major part of your development process and onboarding procedures.

3) Law On Cloud Nine

For those that still haven’t got their heads around the whole cloud computing thing; instead of storing software (or anything) on a device, you store it on the internet. This is incredibly useful for the legal industry for so many reasons, as you can see for yourself by reading this article on http://www.enteracloud.com/solutions/solutions-for-legal/. It’s not just about maintaining your IT infrastructure, or having your data backed-up, or adding an additional layer of security to your operation; it modernizes the legal industry by allowing employees to operate remotely. That means increased productivity and decreased ‘dead-time’.

4) Matter Of Security

Believe it or not, a recent study shows law firms are surprisingly weak when it comes to the matter of security. We’re talking 25% of firms having no security policies while less than 50% of firms use encryption devices to protect their files. The most common worry of all, though, is firms allowing employees to use their own devices, which not only adds responsibility to the individual but leaves firms at risk. To counter this and protect yourself at a time when data-protection is such a hot-topic (thank you Cambridge Analytica), it is so important your firm increases its security across the board, which can be done very easily by speaking to an IT services company.