Ack! Technology! RUN AND HIDE!
No, wait! Come back!
Raise your hand if, at some point in your life, any of the following has crossed your mind:
- Technology hates me!
- I’m just not good with computers.
- This software is:
- Too complicated
- Too difficult
- Annoying
- Slow
- Ineffective
...and I’ll just use…
- A spreadsheet
- Sticky notes
- Pen and paper
- My memory (!)
...instead.
There’s a reasonable chance that your hand is up now.
Which is kind of strange, since you’re probably reading this alone at your computer, or in a coffee shop or library. Put your hand down, weirdo!
Many entrepreneurs - in our experience - are not naturally amazing with technology.
Ideas? Yes! Inspiring, leading, growing, building ... yes, yes, yes, YES! Technology? Not always.
But you don’t have to be a technology expert to be a great user. Having some frustrating experience does not mean that technology can’t or won’t work for you. In fact, with the right systems in place, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without.
When it comes to working with a virtual team, technology is a must. Frankly, if you’re running any business in this day in age, technology is a must.
That’s not to say you have to be super tech-savvy yourself. But you do need reasonably fast internet, a functioning computer, and (ideally) a smartphone.
Some people look at technology as a thing they have to understand and implement (or avoid altogether). That’s letting the tech-tail wag the dog. What you need is someone to understand your business and your intended results, and implement the technology for you. No, you don’t need to be the one person who researches, understands, and implements the technology. You need someone to do all those things, and then show you how to use it.
For example, we took a business that had been in operation since the 1940s and upgraded its systems and processes. They were working with hand written invoices when we met them, and now their billing is electronic and automated. They were spending money on thermal fax paper, and now they receive emails (both fax and actual emails) that they can easily forward, save, and print. They used to take out the occasional advertisement in local newspapers and now they create compelling newsletters that flow directly into the inboxes of their incredibly loyal clientele. The business owner doesn’t have a background in tech. He’s a handshake and phone call kind of guy. His staff members are fabulous at knowing their product - some of the best in their industry - but they are hands-on tradespeople who are a little uncomfortable around delicate electronics (or… they were…).
Find someone (like Admin Slayer) to help you identify and implement the right tech tools, and your business will run like a well-oiled machine.
How do you get started?
- Understand what you want to achieve with your business. A mission or responsibility statement, a summary of your values, and clear goals for the future. It doesn’t have to be a complex business plan - just a strong statement of where you’re going, and why.
- Dig deep into your processes. How does business get done in your world? What is step 1… step 2…. get both nitty and gritty.
- Focus on what you want to change in the future, but on a high level. Things like, “I’d just like to stop wasting time opening emails,” or “I need to ship 10,000 more widgets a month,” or “I want a simple one page statement of my finances that I can work with each month,” or even, “I just wish I could remember all the things.”
- Take this bundle to your efficiency expert. Find out what you can change. The solution might be technological - but it may not. A careful thinker, one who does not work in your business every day, can bring fresh eyes and perspectives to your world, and help you make changes for the better.
Don’t have an efficiency expert of your own?
Why yes! We do that.