I recently received a visit from a friend of my niece who wanted some company management tips. She asked how we could manage the firm productively because she is in her mid-20s. Naturally, we covered a lot of ground, but we also devoted a lot of time to the IT tools needed to manage a business. This post, which doesn't merely list the tools but also focuses on how to use them successfully, is based on that debate as well as on my personal experience dealing with several organizations of all sizes. As everyone is aware, having these tools is one thing; the crucial thing is using them efficiently.
Running a business is not an easy task, as any business owner will attest. The number of things to consider and keep track of is infinite, including finances and staff morale. Fortunately, there are many excellent IT products available that may make running a business much simpler for you. This post will go through five of the most important IT tools for company owners.
Email and Productivity suites
One of the most essential IT resources for every business owner is email. It allows you to communicate with customers, suppliers, and other businesses. You may also transmit and receive files and documents with it. Using email in conjunction with other productivity tools enables your businesses to efficiently interact with one another, as well as with your clients and suppliers. Below is a list of some crucial productivity tools along with the email.
● Online Document Editors Such as google Docs or Zoho Docs or MS office online
- If you need to write which requires collaboration among several persons or approval, The Google Docs Workflow will enable you to complete your task quickly and efficiently.
- Learning how to comment on a document, accept modifications, or review a document will make your job easier.
- TIp: Teach your staff how to share online documents without sending them again via email.
● Online Spreadsheet Editor (Google Spreadsheets/Zoho Sheets/ MS Excel Online)
- Using spreadsheets to manage projects or any type of work allows you to examine the work that needs to be done as well as monitor it effectively moving ahead. Spend some time initially while you are creating the spreadsheets, and if you are tracking well, it undoubtedly helps you to achieve the best output from your employees.
- Spreadsheet use is an art, and if you master it, it helps you to better track the projects.
● Instant Messaging Tool such as Google Chat or Slack or MS Teams or if you have IT team you can use opensource OpenFire server with a Pidgin client
- Normally, you can count on all of your staff members who are currently at work to be reachable on one of these IM services so that communication may take place without any delays. Creating this culture will go a long way toward assisting your business in working and handling any tasks or problems in the quickest possible method.
- Another option is WhatsApp groups, however, it's only an option and not a full-fledged IM solution.
The best options which are available for Indian companies are shown below; the majority of these provide these productivity features.
- Google Workspace
- Zoho Suite
- Microsoft Outlook and Office Online
Social Media
Social media is another essential IT tool for any business owner. It allows you to connect with customers and promote your business. You can use social media to post pictures and videos, write blog posts, and run ads. Social media is a very powerful tool for any business owner. It might be quite daunting initially as it will be very hard to make any presence on social media. Please note you may need to plan your goals long-term if you want to increase your social media quotient. Also, don't be afraid to promote on those networks with modest budgets; a combination of engaging content and paid promotion can help your company get traction on social media. Depending on the size of your company, you may need to hire the following individuals listed below. If you happen to have the time and the necessary expertise, this might be advantageous for you in the beginning.
- Graphic Designer with Basic Graphic designing skills like creating posters
- Copywriter or content creator who can create material for both your social media and blog postings.
The Most Popular Social Media Channels currently In India are
- YouTube
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is one of the most crucial tools you'll need to successfully operate your organization, according to our list. Please keep in mind that you could just require a few of the ERP modules rather than the entire system. Out of this, you may require an accounting tool without a doubt, and the rest of the modules are based on your company model and necessity, so you may implement them. Alternatively, you can employ these Modules as independent applications. The ideal option would be to adopt a SaaS-based or cloud-based ERP and roll out modules one at a time. Zoho ERP could work for you. There are several alternatives available to you if you choose to use open source. If you are seeking for open source, Odoo could come to mind immediately. However, if you run a small business without an IT department, it might be preferable to choose the SaaS alternative. These are the modules that, depending on the kind of your business, you could need.
CRM
You require a CRM (customer relationship management) system if you operate a firm. You can maintain track of your consumers and their contact information with the use of this crucial IT tool. You can track your marketing and sales activities with its assistance. You can easily stay organized and locate the information you need fast with the aid of a CRM system. If you just have a small number of frequent clients, managing manually or using a spreadsheet can be preferable
LMS
Managing employee leaves and payroll may keep you or your HR staff busier if you have more than 20 to 30 employees. An LMS system will handle this and make the process easier and more effective by providing employees with a self-service site where they can apply for leaves, check how many they have left, or create an annual holiday schedule. Additionally, they may submit expense reports, get payslips, etc.
Helpdesk
Implementing helpdesk solutions will enhance your company process if many clients or internal staff members call about concerns or problems in your company. For instance, if an employee reports that a has not been received, he is unable to access his employee information, or if a customer calls about a refund or faulty products, the Helpdesk solution will be of assistance. The helpdesk will allow you to create a ticket for these kinds of issues and let you track them more effectively. One free SaaS alternative is Freshdesk.
Project Management
Project management software is a crucial IT solution for you if you have projects with work that must be delegated to numerous resources. You may assign tasks, specify due dates, and monitor progress with this program. You can interact with your team members and keep them on task as well. Any business owner who wants to complete tasks quickly and effectively must-have project management software. There are several free options available, including Basecamp, Jira, and others. If you use ERP, it could also have this module.
Accounting Software
For any business owner, accounting software is a crucial piece of technology. It makes sure that your financial records are correct and aids in keeping track of your finances. You may select the accounting software application that best meets your demands from a wide variety that is readily available. Legally, in accordance with governmental rules, you might need to use accounting software if business turnover exceeds a certain amount. The ERP you choose will have an accounting system and record accounting entries from your sales and purchasing module. Tally is particularly well-known in India for accounting software.
Sales & Inventory System
A sales and inventory system may be absolutely necessary if you are selling a substantial number of orders, providing many quotations to customers, and maintaining a sizable list of inventory products. The ideal option is to use a comprehensive ERP system, but you can also keep track of some of these things in your accounting system or on spreadsheets. The final thing you can automate is your manufacturing system, but you could also need to automate your purchasing department.
A website is an essential IT tool for any business owner. It provides a way for customers to find out more about your business and what you have to offer. A website can also be a great marketing tool, helping you to reach a wider audience.
An effective website must be well-designed and easy to navigate. It should also be mobile-friendly, as more and more people are using their smartphones to access the internet. Your website should be updated regularly with fresh content to keep visitors coming back. A website is an essential tool for any business owner, providing a way to reach a wider audience and promote your products or services.
People are shopping more than ever before. The internet has made buying products so much easier and accessible, and it's not just clothes that people want to buy. From furniture to makeup, you can find anything you want on the internet. And if you have products that you can sell online adding eCommerce features is essential these days. Instead of building an eCommerce website from scratch using plenty of pre-built solutions out there that can be implemented easily into any website with minimal coding knowledge
If you don't have IT Team you may build your website using
- Wix for both website and eCommerce
- Shopify for eCommerce website
- WordPress with WooCommerce
If you are an IT professional Or Have an IT team you can try these options
- WordPress with WooCommerce
- Magento OpenSource Solution
- Headless GraphQL eCommerce Solutions helps you to use the same codebase for apps & Websites.
WhatsApp Business is a great tool for any business owner. It allows you to create a professional account with your company’s name and logo. You can use this account to communicate with your customers and employees. WhatsApp Business also has some great features, such as the ability to set up automated messages and create customer groups.
Another great feature of WhatsApp Business is the ability to set up a virtual storefront. This allows customers to browse your products and services without having to leave the app. You can also use the virtual storefront to take payments and book appointments. Overall, WhatsApp Business is a great tool for any business owner. It is packed with features that will help you communicate with your customers and run your business more efficiently.
