A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Tech Investments

As a small business owner, you likely try to keep your operating costs low. One step business owners may take to reduce overhead is to minimize investments in software and other technology. However, skipping such essentials can cause you stress and lose you money in the big picture. For example, failing to invest in security for your technology can result in data breaches, costing you valuable cash. ClearTalking invites you to read on to learn about some essential tech investments no business owner should be without.

Use tech to automate processes

Automation can save your business time and money. It can also help streamline processes. For example, you can use automation tools to improve your customer service. Automated chatbots can be a solid first point of contact, answering easy queries. More complicated issues can then be escalated to human service agents. Automation can help in other areas as well. Productivity platforms, as well example, can help with issues like sales force automation and call log reporting, for example. By having one tool to automate many tasks, you can keep your workflows centralized.

Get tools to boost your website security

Your website is a central hub for customer communication. Potential customers refer to it to learn about your products and services. Depending on your business model, they may also buy products or services, make appointments, or send requests for quotes. You want to make sure your website is safe with security tools like DataDog, which detects risks, and BitNinja, which stops hacker attacks. These kinds of tools are especially important if you process sensitive data like customer payment info on your website.

Invest in general cybersecurity technology

Your website isn’t the only part of your business that needs to be protected against cyber attacks. IT Business Edge provides a comprehensive guide to cybersecurity tools worth investing in if you’re a smaller business. For example, antivirus software can keep devices like laptops and tablets safe. Meanwhile, a firewall and VPN can help protect your online browsing. If you aren’t sure what kinds of cybersecurity technology you need, consider hiring a consultant. It’s better to invest now than to risk a data breach or hack down the line, which can require costly fixes and result in reputational damage.

Use technology to boost efficiency

In addition to protecting you, your technology can also help your business run more smoothly. For example, project management software makes it easier to collaborate, while chat apps like Slack and Chanty simplify communication. A PDF tool is also convenient, making it easy to share documents. Plus, you can use tools to help you edit these docs as needed. For example, if you need to sign off on a PDF-based contract, you can use an online tool to help you get the job done (you can try one example by clicking this link). 

Best practices for buying tech

If you’re shopping around for business technology, do your due diligence. Compare prices and read reviews of any software before investing. Also, check what kind of customer support is available to you. You can call the customer support line as a test run before buying, seeing if anyone picks up and what kind of assistance they can provide. Some technology providers also offer perks like free tutorials that show you how to use and implement their tools.

It might seem like pricey technology is a waste of money for a small business. In fact, the right tools can save you time, headache, and cash in the big picture — and some of them, like online PDF editors, can be used for free at no cost to your business. Trust the tips above to guide your tech-buying going ahead.

Turn Your Love of Video Games Into a Rewarding Career

Playing video games is a pastime enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and it keeps increasing in popularity. Beyond its entertainment value, gaming can teach you critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. So if you want to turn the time you spend playing on your console into a lucrative career, here are four critical steps you can take: 

Get a Bachelor’s Degree 

Go from amateur to pro by earning a Bachelor’s degree, which will make you stand out as a qualified candidate during your job search. The best thing is you don’t have to stop working to attend classes: thanks to accredited online universities, you can study at your own pace and around your schedule. Those online schools are also a more affordable alternative to traditional, in-person educational institutions. So if you’re looking to pursue a degree in this exciting field, this may be a good option to teach you the skills you need and turn your passion into your new profession.

Find an Internship

Game development, game testing, technical support to players, creation of 2D and 3D images, and animation: These are just a few of the many jobs available in the field of video gaming. If any one of those appeals to you, you can get your foot in the door by interning at a company where you’ll be able to learn about the different skills and expertise required to develop and bring a product to market. So go to game industry job boards online, and look for internships at big and small companies. You can even try a more proactive approach and get in touch directly with a smaller company in your area to offer your (free) labor in exchange for experience.     

Boost Your Résumé

Now that you’ve obtained the degree and credentials needed to start a career in the videogame industry, it’s time to write a CV that highlights your skills, experience, and education. Many recruiters use what is called an Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, in order to sift through résumés faster and quickly eliminate candidates that do not possess the skills required for the position they’re applying to. So as you prepare to write yours, make sure you use the same words as the job description: those are the keywords that will help your CV get through the ATS and onto HR’s desk. You can even use an online résumé builder to help you! 

Start Your Own Business

If you want to work from home and become an entrepreneur, there are many options to choose from when it comes to turning your gaming skills into a lucrative venture. Maybe you want to develop and produce your own game, or you want to open a brick-and-mortar store where gaming enthusiasts can check out the latest offerings. And if you’re more of an introvert, you may enjoy working as a freelance consultant or graphic artist or offer technical support and consultation virtually. Once you know what kind of services or goods you want to offer, start by forming a limited liability company and come up with a unique name for your business. You’ll gain legitimacy as a business owner with this structure, and it’s also less paperwork-intensive than is required to form a corporation. Additionally, an LLC provides great tax advantages, and you can use an online formation service to help you set it up for a very affordable price.

If you enjoy playing video games, think about turning your passion into a career. Get a degree in the field, and find an internship where you’ll learn the ropes with professionals. And if you want to start your own gaming business, set yourself up as an LLC to gain the trust of your customers.  

An interactive platform for users to discuss their experiences and ask questions, cleartalking.com is your go-to for anything related to telecom products and services.

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