10 Tech Resolutions for Your Small Business

Many of us make them. Most of us invariably break them.

We’re talking of course, about New Year’s resolutions. And in the midst of those resolutions – often centred around health and fitness – you may want to also consider how you can improve your business’ bottom line and keep your team as productive as possible.

To help you along, here are our top 10 technology resolutions to keep your business on track and running smoothly in 2015:

1. “I will practice good password hygiene.”

Don’t rely on security and anti-virus software alone. Institute a schedule for regular password resets and understand the difference between what constitutes a poor password and a strong one. Create complex passwords that combine letters, numbers, symbols and different cases.

2. “I will ensure our security software is current.”

And speaking of security, don’t let those annual renewals of your security and anti-virus software subscriptions slip by. It may be time to start fresh with a full upgrade to the most recent version of your vendor’s offering.

3. “I will back up my data.”

This is absolutely crucial because the implications of data loss are massive. And luckily there are a variety of affordable cloud-based backup solutions out there that can help protect you and your business.

4. “I will give our PCs/laptops/mobile devices a housecleaning.”

Your team’s devices can get cluttered up with outdated and useless applications fast, especially if they’re also used for personal activities. These can slow system performance and expose your vital data to security threats.

5. “I will ensure I have the best possible website for my customers.”

Your online presence is vital to attracting new leads. Is it up-to-date in terms of look, feel and content? How optimized is it for search engine rankings? Does it work well on mobile devices? If it’s been a couple of years or more since your last redo, it may be time for a website redesign.

6. “I will find new and relevant ways to tell our story.”

This extends beyond that overdue website overhaul to include your entire marketing strategy. Regardless of whether your focus is B2B or B2C, the growing trend is toward engaging prospects with content that will resonate with them. The definition of content has also changed to include more than just text and pictures. Video is becoming king and the driver of global Internet traffic. In fact, Youtube may turn out to be your next big lead-gen tool.

7. “I will find the best wireless plan for my business and my team.”

Many Canadian businesses have employees that use a large amount of data on a daily basis, and others who barely use a megabyte. Talk to your service provider about a more flexible plan that shares data and minutes. It may offer you more overall value by either giving you more for the same price, or reducing your overall cost.

8. “I will stop staring at little hourglasses and rotating circles.”

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get a deliverable out the door with a slow Internet connection. Not only does it raise your blood pressure, it erodes productivity. Make sure you have the right Internet service plan to ensure your staff isn’t losing valuable time waiting for emails, videos and applications to load.

9. “I will review my cloud services to ensure my business is setup for success.”

Last year, you decided to invest in a CRM platform, or some other subscription service you thought would provide tangible benefits. Is it? Are you on the right service plan, or would another package make more sense for your business? Take a hard look at your current setup to make sure you’ve got the best fit possible.

10. “I will use social media, or I won’t.”

Further to #9, social media channels such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook can be great ways to reach customers and prospects. But you need a strategy – are these the kinds of places where your target audience hangs out? Can you keep your social media accounts active and updated on a reasonably regular schedule? If not, rethink your strategy. Derelict accounts don’t make a good impression. Same goes for the blog you last posted to in 2013.

Do you have any business tech resolutions we haven’t included here? Share them with us via the comments section below.