41% of high-performing small business sales
teams report being heavy tech adopters.
Technology:
How Much
is Enough?
Growing tech trends may actually
be stifling your office’s workflow.
More than ever, it’s key to examine
whether that new tool is a help or
hindrance in meeting your goals.
The Effect
of Technology
Communication
channels have
exponentially
increased the number
of interactions
within the business
landscape. As a result,
more technology is
being developed just
to help sustain all
of these channels—
threatening overall
productivity as a
result. The bottom line:
more emails, phone
calls, and messages,
etc., are creating
greater workloads.
In response, it’s easy
to hastily cycle through
communications and
interactions when your
inbox gets full. Take time
to streamline emails,
plan meetings, and
organize schedules with
helpful technology—
as opposed to more
technology. If you
plan, your day-to-day
business processes will
flow more easily.
Technology has favorably reshaped the ways we measure and approach productivity.
Yet, at times, we’re so predisposed to adopting the newest tech tool that we forget
to ask whether we’re optimizing workflow or needlessly adding to it. In fact, some
companies are seeing decreased efficiency as a result of too much technology.
Could the constant pursuit of the “latest and greatest” technology be detracting from
your business’s ultimate success? One of the most prudent steps you can take is to evaluate whether you’re using technology to your advantage. Consider:
ÎÎTIME. Does the new technology save time? Or is it another obstacle keeping you
from completing daily tasks? If your business tracks time spent on client work,
keep in mind not all time trackers are created equal. Tools like Toggl can easily
interface across operating systems and browsers. What to Avoid: Burdensome or
time-intensive systems that can end up taking away from employee productivity
ÎÎINTERACTIONS. Does the new system streamline the never-ending cycle of office
emails and client conversations? Project management services, like Basecamp, can
integrate email correspondence with deadlines and tasks to help keep departments on
track and on the same page. What to Avoid: Systems and services that end up creating
more unwanted back and forth dialogue
ÎÎNECESSITY. What’s the added benefit of implementing this technology? Does it help
achieve company goals and optimize day-to-day operations for employees and clients?
What to Avoid: Technology that’s merely cool and flashy—rather than a tool that
measurably improves efficiency or effectiveness
Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula for the amount of technology that’s right
for your business. The reality is that not all tech systems will offer the best return
for the time and resources it demands of your company and its employees. Yet by
remaining aware of new services and analyzing the success of current programs you
can determine which new tech ideas you need—and the ones you can do without.
Learn how Sterling's finance options can help you meet your company's technology needs.
Start by contacting your relationship manager today at 855.274.2800.
6 | SNB.COM // CONNECT TECHNOLOGY FALL 2016