The foreseeable future expects many alterations in society as a whole. Already, people are becoming more aware of health and climate issues which created shifts in consumer preferences. Old corporations are projecting more remote work opportunities for their employees in the coming year, and the entire face of purchasing in all industries could have been transformed for good.
At the center of all these changes lies technology and its all-powerful presence in society. As a business owner, you must have a deep understanding of how technology ushers in the new norm and what this means specifically to your operations. To give you a head start, here are three of the most anticipated tech trends in 2021.
Contactless is the New Norm
Contactless transactions are safer whether you look at it through health or security. This option has just been gaining momentum worldwide and in multiple industries when the pandemic hit. All of a sudden, it’s the most significant aspect of all transactions. This applies not only in payments but also in other customer experiences. Restaurants are stepping up their game with various gimmicks in curbside takeouts. Cinemas are bringing back drive-thru theaters with virtual tickets bought and presented without the need for any physical contact. More and more retailers are using QR codes to enable payments, and banks are competing for the strongest virtual presence to make bank visits less necessary.
How contactless transactions will impact your business depends largely on your industry and current strategies. If you find yourself in the stone age of business tech, then you’ll have to redirect most of your funds to a huge upgrade. Not only that, but you’ll also have to ensure that all your methods are government compliant on a national and state level, regardless if you’re in New South Wales or Queensland.
One of your best investments in this endeavor is hiring a credible accounting firm. There are many in that offer options to give you the best value for your money.
Automation Upgrades
Today, when you aim for increased productivity and speed, time management isn’t the go-to solution of most companies. It’s automation.
Remote work has driven up the need for automation to staggering heights. To make up for losses during the first few months of the pandemic, companies see it as the answer to achieving more in record time. Repetitive tasks call for automated alternatives so that employees can concentrate on more complex jobs. It also fills the gap for businesses that suffered from a loss of workforce due to emergency layoffs.
If you’re concerned about over-automating, you can rest assured that even this problem is being addressed through artificial emotional intelligence. This predictive AI is designed to interact with customers without the need for visual cues. Word and punctuation usage are sometimes enough for this AI to determine what to show a shopper next to seal a purchase.
Tech-Savvy Employees
Remote work is here to stay, regardless if a vaccine is invented and the pandemic ends mid-year. COVID-19 only fast-tracked most companies transition to this working style, and now people are settling in for the long haul.
Along with the convenience it brings, however, are security risks that put companies in danger. Hiring more IT personnel is often not enough, because most cyberattacks occur due to human error.
The solution? Train your employees to be tech-savvy. More and more companies are equipping their employees to know the basics and even the advanced troubleshooting methods. Virtual seminars and workshops are being made available to educate remote workers on the techniques cybercriminals use to access their gadgets.
As the increase in remote workers continues, so is the need for in-depth tech knowledge. You can expect that this alternative is probably the most cost-efficient and secure way to operate moving forward.
A Tech-Guided Future
Business owners have no choice if they want to stay relevant and competitive in the market. Upgrading your technology and riding the waves of upcoming tech trends is the only way to proceed. It may be the only way to succeed during and after the pandemic.
