Running a small business is no easy feat. There are daily — if not hourly — hurdles to get through and bumps in the road to navigate around. With limited resources, you can feel a bit strapped from a financial and headcount perspective. You may be so focused on one aspect of your business such as product development, that you overlook another key component like customer service. Doing so can be harmful to your growth, turning away potential leads and new customers.
To stay afloat (and keep your sanity), you’ll want to consider utilizing various tools. While these aren’t a replacement for hard work, they can keep you organized, save time, and make things more efficient for everyone. These tools will help you feel more empowered, assisting you with the day-to-day processes that can take up a lot of time and effort. They’ll help you stay competitive in the marketplace and allow you to remain focused on what’s really important. Here are three tools worth considering for your small business needs.
1. Management Software
As a small business owner, you may feel like you’re going a hundred miles a minute, unable to take a pause and look up. Fortunately, you can free up some of your time by automating routine tasks and processes with a CRM for small business. This kind of software allows you to manage all of your customer communications via one platform, meaning you’ll be able to provide a better customer experience. You can keep customers engaged by sending automated messages and reminders via emails and texts within the platform as well.
Another benefit of small business management software is that all of your documents and files can be stored within the tool. You can easily keep track of and share these documents internally with your team or with clients, as needed. Think of it as a master filing system, keeping you organized without spending wasted time looking through Google Drive for the right document.
Lastly, depending on your business needs, you can also process payments securely online via the same platform. You can send and approve invoices, collecting money quickly and with ease with secure payment collection options. Having a safe, reliable system is important as it shows new customers that you care about their privacy and are set up for success. Soon enough, your management software will become your right-hand man, allowing you to focus on the growth of your business rather than getting bogged down with mundane tasks.
2. Project Management Software
Keeping a running to-do list of the team’s ongoing projects will only get you so far. After all, there are lots of moving pieces when it comes to getting any one project done. For your entire team to see how you’re tracking against a goal, you will want to implement project management software.
These tools keep everyone focused and on track, which is important as roles expand and bandwidth increases. You can monitor how the overall team is tracking against a deadline and identify which areas of the process need to be optimized. Additionally, you can schedule projects based on current bandwidth. If you see a teammate inundated with work, you can assign it to someone else who may be in between projects.
There are numerous project management software tools available for small businesses — almost too many! Before selecting one, research which one will make the most sense for your needs. Some tools are set up to assist in assigning tasks and delegating roles, while others are better for tracking issues, such as bugs on your site. Think about the best use cases for the platform and how it will be integrated into some of your existing applications.
3. Human Resource Software
If you’re the owner or CEO of a small business, then growth is likely always on your mind. Whether your team is small and nimble or steadily growing, it can be helpful to integrate a human resource software platform. Also referred to as human resource information systems, HR software is designed to streamline HR-related processes, including all that tedious admin work.
A huge benefit of using HR software is that it will save you time. You won’t need to keep track of how much vacation an employee has already used or who else is planning to be on vacation then. Another benefit is that it’s way more secure than keeping personal files on your desktop. Employees will feel better cared for knowing that their W-2 forms are uploaded via a secure platform rather than emailing them directly to you.
When selecting an HR platform, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. First, make sure it fits within your budget. Plenty of HR platforms out there are designed for larger companies; while these may offer everything you need, the price tag may be unrealistic. Second, make sure that it is scalable. Ideally, your team will continue to grow as your business grows, and you want to be sure the platform can grow with you. Also, make sure it accommodates all of your HR needs — from payroll to benefits to employment regulations.
Takeaways
No matter where your small business is today, leaning on specific tools can help build a foundation for your future growth. Before implementing any new tool, see if you can request a demo or trial. Ask your team to test the tool with you and get their feedback. Knowing that they have some say in the process will likely motivate them to use it to its fullest potential.