Is the future here? It is if the current state of technology is any indication. Our lives are changing by leaps and bounds, thanks to new technologies, new ways of doing things, and an overall willingness to embrace technology and all the benefits it brings. This is doubly so for the business world, as smart companies look to technology to gain a competitive edge.
SBT Partners is one of these companies, as we look to help our clients plan their IT in 2020 and beyond. Over the past two decades, we have seen the internet grow from a marketing gadget to a seemingly endless realm of opportunity companies can use, not only to reach new markets, but to streamline how they function. As 2020 quickly approaches, technology is always at the forefront of decision-making and strategic planning.
Here are some things to consider as 2019 draws to a close:
Stay on Top of New Business and Technology Trends
Many of these prevalent trends have been predicted for some time, but as the technology gets better and cheaper, they are going from fantasy to reality in the blink of an eye.
- Automated processes will make mundane tasks cheaper, easier, and less prone to error.
- The Internet of Things (IoT) means these automatic processes and our computers are constantly talking to each other and sharing information.
- 3D printing will grow and be able to produce thousands of useful items, from building materials to prosthetic limbs.
- Mobile apps will redefine how service businesses engage customers and track their purchases.
- Social media is not going away. If anything, it will become more prominent in people’s lives, and, by extension, its use by businesses to get their products and services noticed.
Review Your Strategic IT Plan
This should already be part of the process, but the start of a new decade may mean new doors have opened for your company. Now is the perfect time to consider adjusting your strategic plan by laying out an IT roadmap for the future. These steps will ensure changes are reflected in your strategy for the coming year.
Look at the big picture – Each element of your strategic IT plan has a purpose, and now is the time to review whether they are still valid. Are there new opportunities you’re missing? Do you have new competitors? Are there ways you can streamline operations?
Review your reporting – How you get your information is almost as vital as the information itself. New technologies and software can gather what matters and break it down into insights that will help your business make better decisions.
Review how you met or fell short of past objectives – Failure really is an important teacher, and when your business fails to meet an objective for whatever reason, not investigating and analyzing what led to the failure is a missed opportunity.
Need a Hand With IT Planning? Call SBT Partners
At SBT, we take the time to identify what makes your business tick. As a true IT partner, we take a look at the nuances and intricacies of your daily operations, before administering a solution that’s a perfect fit for what you want to accomplish in 2019, 2020, or well beyond.
Call us today and we can discuss your pain points and your worries for the future. We have helped dozens of businesses and we have no doubt that our expertise will help yours as well.
