When you operate a business, it’s important not to let things get stagnant. The world is moving at an incredibly fast pace. Technology seems to change things on a regular basis, the core of what consumers want has shifted, and businesses across the globe have had to get creative with their operations.
Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to make the necessary changes that will keep your business standing. But, because there is such uncertainty still lingering from the pandemic, it could also be the perfect time to update your business and give yourself a much-needed fresh start in certain areas.
If you’ve been putting off updates or you simply haven’t known where to begin, consider some of the following ideas. By making active, positive changes in your business, you’ll continue to move forward with the rest of the world, while growing upward in your success.
With that in mind, what are some of the things you should consider updating?
Your Brand
The right brand strategy is one of the most crucial components of any successful business. But, if you’ve been in business for a while and you’re thinking about updating your brand and/or image, it can require a lot of time and consideration before you take the plunge.
If you haven’t had a brand strategy until now, you could have been missing out on a large section of your target market. When you have a consistent brand across all of your platforms, it can boost your revenue by up to 23%.
In addition to increasing your revenue, updating your brand could also help you to narrow your focus. Without a brand (or strategy), you might be spreading yourself too thin. When you don’t have a core identity for your business, it’s easy to branch out into a variety of things. While you might think that’s a great way to reach a larger audience, there’s a good chance you’re not putting maximum effort into every project.
Your brand strategy should focus on narrowing down your business into a few key components. Think of it as a clean slate. If you truly want to revamp your brand, you may even want to consider changing your name. That’s a big step, but it can also make a big difference in how your business is viewed. Ask yourself these questions if you’re considering a name change:
- How does the name sound?
- Does it have a unique spelling?
- Does it limit your business operations?
- Is the name already in use by another business?
Changing your name will cause people to view your business in a completely different way. But, that may be exactly what you need in order to “start over” without having to shut down your business entirely.
Your Security
Cybersecurity has become a hot topic over the last several years, and for good reason. In 2020 alone, over 16 billion records were exposed in hacking operations before the last quarter of the year. Even corporations like Twitter, Marriott, MGM, and Zoom experienced cyber-attacks in 2020, proving that no matter how powerful your corporation is, no one is immune to these types of breaches.
The solution is investing in cybersecurity for your business. There are different types of cybersecurity to consider, including:
- Critical infrastructure
- Cloud security
- Network security
- App security
You should also think about mobile security if you have employees who rely on their phones or tablets for work. Mobile spyware, rooting malware, and SMS malware are all serious issues that can make it easy for a hacker to access important information.
Make sure all of your data is protected and backed up, and make sure all of your employees understand how to stay safe on their computers and mobile devices. Encourage them to avoid downloading unfamiliar apps, answering suspicious emails, or using non-secure WiFi if they are out of the office.
Your Digital Presence
If you’re not consistently learning more about the latest trends of the digital world, then you risk falling behind with your business operations. Ongoing self-education in every aspect of your business is important. But, because so many people get their information online, you have to stay ahead of those trends in order to remain relevant.
That could start with something as simple as updating your website. For internet users, the average web page view is under one minute. Many users will leave a page within 10 seconds. So, you have that very small window of time to make a first impression and convince them to “stick around,” browse your site, and learn more about you. If your website loads slowly, is difficult to navigate or doesn’t have engaging content, you could lose a potential loyal customer or client.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to take the reins of your digital presence. Having an IT professional work for your business will not only help to keep your network secure but they can assist you with innovative ways to move forward. Introducing aspects of artificial intelligence, chatbots, and cloud services into your business can make life easier for you, your employees, and your potential customers.
Whether you want to make simple, subtle changes to your business or you’re in need of major updates, don’t wait on implementing ideas that could breathe new life into your company for years to come.
