Whatever your business is and however many employees you have, the unusual times we find ourselves in have impacted your work. Many entrepreneurs and business owners find themselves asking questions they never thought they would have to contemplate.
People are being forced to react to scenarios they never imagined were possible. And many are wondering what they can do right now to feel better prepared for the increasingly unpredictable future.
Two big shifts have been brought to the forefront of people’s minds:
1. Disaster And Emergency Preparation
A worldwide pandemic limiting the possibility of face-to-face interactions was not something many businesses needed to think about before 2024. In addition to the struggle of adjusting to COVID-19, many business owners now find themselves wondering about the possibility of future disasters or states of emergency.
The latest research states that remote working is expected to stay the norm, long after businesses are permitted to return to pre-pandemic practices. Many are wondering how to better prepare their businesses to handle not only the move to remote work but whatever else the future throws at us.
2. Artificial Intelligence And Automation
The current international pandemic has brought awareness to the rapid technological developments occurring in our world. As we move towards remote work, the need for automated technology and connective tools has become more obvious.
These developments will drastically impact how businesses, customers, and people interact. Many businesses are wondering how to get ahead of the curve in their respective fields. This should be done by, keeping their practices up to date for the average customer or consumer.
So you’re aware of the puzzles your business is facing, but have no idea where to begin when it comes to solutions. You are not alone. The following is an examination of the external help your business might need.
Business Strategy Consultant
We have all been shocked by how quickly the world can change as of late. Many business owners are left wondering what they can do to be better prepared for the unpredictable future, especially regarding emergency and disaster responses. Others are wondering about the things they can do to smooth out the transition of adopting new technology and virtual elements to their workflow.
Someone who specializes in business strategy can sit down with you and speak about your long-term business goals. With your aims in mind, a business strategy consultant can offer step by step plans of action to make sure you and your business are adapting to the needs of your current clientele and your future customers. Having worked with companies previously facing the same issues, they can suggest tried-and-tested solutions to the difficulties you’re encountering.
Business strategy consultants will also take into account what is unique about you, your corporation, and your customer base. Business strategy is never a one-size-fits-all plan, and a consultant can help you tailor your choices to suit your business and goals. They will also provide systems by which you can monitor and measure the success of any alterations you make to your workflow and management.
In particular, many businesses are struggling with the idea of adapting to the new technologies available, especially digital and cloud-based software. A business strategy consultant can talk you through your new technological options, explaining what suits you and your business as well as your clients. If this is the case, click here for more information about the rapid changes currently happening in business technology. If you already have in mind what you want to incorporate, a strategy consultant can also help you plan the inclusion of new technology to ensure the transition is easy and comfortable for you and your employees.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation Partner
Enterprise Resource Planning is a system of integrated software that connects and streamlines all aspects of a business, including but not limited to, inventory management, human resources, supply chain, finance, purchasing, and many other functions.
ERP software presents an extensive overview of the company, allowing managers a birds-eye-view of the entire business. This can help:
- Increases operational efficiency
- Improve transparency within and between departments
- Provide real-time (or near real-time) data necessary to make strong decisions
- Facilitate remote working
- Unify a company’s financial reporting
Until recently, management tools of this caliber were only available to larger global businesses. Because of this, it is particularly helpful for smaller or medium-sized businesses, as it allows them to keep up and compete with larger enterprises.
One of the major obstacles preventing small businesses from implementing enterprise resource planning software is a lack of in-house information technology skill sets.
Software modules can be purchased directly from vendors, but many businesses require help with the integration of the software, as well as assistance with the customization of the software to their individual businesses.
An ERP Implementation Partner is someone who assists your business with the customization and implementation of enterprise resource planning software.
When searching for an ERP implementation partner, many people prefer to seek out someone open to developing a long-term working relationship. It is one thing to have someone help your business implement the software, it is another thing to have someone you can call with troubleshooting issues, and when inevitable future upgrades are required. If you think you’ve found a good fit for you and your business, ask to speak to at least two previous customers, ideally customers in the same industry as you.
Accounting Support
It has become all too obvious that people need to be able to work together, even when they are not in the same location, particularly when it comes to handling accounting. Accounting is an important (and legally-crucial) aspect of any company’s management, but it can quickly feel overwhelming. To add to the stress of it all, mistakes in accounting can be very expensive. It might be worth considering external accounting help. There are countless qualified professionals who can offer advice and accounting services.
When it comes to choosing someone to assist with your accounting, experience is key. Ideally, you’re looking for someone who has done accounting for the type of business you are running. Someone who can help you streamline the crunching of numbers so you can focus on the work you love.
Legal Support
This one almost goes without saying. The law can be a complicated thing to understand, and often when researching the legal implications of your work, you will be met with pages upon pages of difficult to understand legal jargon.
Finding someone who understands the law and how it relates to your business (especially given the current pandemic-based restrictions many businesses are facing) can save you a lot of money in the long run (and maybe even your entire business).
When considering legal help it is important that you meet with potential candidates to ensure that they can explain things to you in a way that you understand. A legal consultant isn’t going to be able to support your work if they can’t help you grasp what the law means in the day-to-day running of your business.
2020 was a challenging year for all of us. The obstacles and questions forced to the forefront of our minds have led many business owners to consider alternatives to their working practices.
Faced with the difficulty of managing work at a time where face-to-face interactions are limited (or sometimes, completely impossible), businesses of all shapes and sizes are turning to external software to help them keep up with the rapidly shifting needs of their customers and employees.
