? EDITOR ’ S QUESTION //
“
HINDSIGHT HAS
TAUGHT US THAT , TO SUCCEED IN AN ERA DRIVEN
BY TECHNOLOGY , BUSINESSES NEED TO BE
INCREASINGLY AGILE IN ORDER TO CONSTANTLY
REINVENT THEMSELVES .
A longside immediate concerns of the short-term , small businesses also need to keep their eye on the longerterm changes coming down the pipeline this decade . Customer demands are changing . Employee expectations are evolving . The ever-present threat of cybercrime . These are all front of mind for business leaders .
Hindsight has taught us that , to succeed in an era driven by technology , businesses need to be increasingly agile in order to constantly reinvent themselves . Luckily , agility is something small businesses have in abundance . However , agility alone isn ’ t enough , small businesses also need the right technology in place – both to improve the digital experience for both employees and customers and to keep data safe .
As part of their Digital Transformation strategy , small businesses need foresight into what they should be prioritising . If you ’ re a small business owner , here are some considerations to ensure your success :
1
Go back to basics
Delivering the best customer experience is key to small business success . Your Wi-Fi can be a great asset to help – it ’ s more than just email access . The past has taught us that customers no longer base their loyalty on price or product quality alone . Instead , they choose to purchase products or services from companies based on the experience they receive . Put simply , keep up with your customers ’ changing demands and secure their loyalty .
With the right network in place , you can focus on improving the customer experience by delivering a consistent , seamless and personalised experience that caters to individual tastes and wants . For example , in retail , once you ’ ve implemented a secure and scalable network , you can digitise your in-store experience creating a better customer experience and repeat visits .
2
Don ’ t compromise on security
Small businesses typically consider themselves to be unlikely targets , but they could be deliberately sought out if attackers perceive they lack built-in security in their networks . Or the odds may just fall against them if they are caught in a widespread attack .
If you ’ re a small business owner and you want to remain competitive , up the cybersecurity ante . To do this you need a simple to use , enterprise-grade network , with foundational security built in to protect against common threats . You simply cannot compromise by using a network designed for homes . An enterprise-grade network segments the network to add an extra layer of security and leverages advanced technology to better understand the devices and behaviours happening on the network .
3
Connected employees equal productive employees
In addition to protecting your business , a safe and secure network keeps employees , visiting clients and customers connected and productive .
This is important because today ’ s employees don ’ t only want a salary increase or a promotion , they want to feel happy and productive at work . Employees want to feel like their work is meaningful and that they ’ re contributing to the success of the company . They want devices that instantly connect and perform flawlessly , whether they ’ re ringing up sales , taking inventory or running payroll .
With the growing trend of flexible working and the gig economy , employees also expect to be able to log on to the Internet swiftly and securely . No matter where they are . Giving employees the freedom to work anywhere , anytime , is key to small business success .
JACOB CHACKO , REGIONAL BUSINESS HEAD – MIDDLE EAST , SAUDI AND SOUTH AFRICA ( MESA ) AT HPE ARUBA
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