Leverage technology to increase your productivity and make your processes more efficient for the Holidays.
Although more and more people are getting vaccinated every day, it's safe to assume that a lot of transactions will still be done online this holiday season. What's great these days is that there are numerous tech-based tools available even for small businesses.
Here are some tools to help keep you on top of your game during the holiday rush:
Harness the power of the cloud
With most people still working from home, finding ways to store and access important documents securely has never been more important. Retrieve important files, presentations, and spreadsheets wherever you and your staff may be, by storing them in a cloud server. Keep your information secure by using trusted cloud service providers, apps or programs, and use a password manager to add an extra layer of protection for your business information. This way, you can pull up important files such as order lists and delivery schedules on whatever gadget you have at the time.
Keep followers up to date on social media
Marketing is important for helping your business stand out, and for keeping both loyal and prospective customers up to date on your latest offerings. Social media can be a free and easy way to reach your client base, but you need to use it strategically for it to be effective. Posting about your products or services, running contests, and posting customer testimonials are some ways to keep your followers engaged and growing.
Take orders and answer queries via messaging apps
Level up your customer service game by having a dedicated channel where they can place orders or send inquiries. Customers always appreciate a personal touch, and interacting with them through a messaging app makes this easy. Don't forget to note order details properly to avoid mistakes. Here's where your cloud-based documents can come in handy-they're available all the time, be it on your computer, tablet, or phone.
Get your goods to your customer with delivery apps
If your business is reliant on delivery services, it's especially important to take the holiday rush into account when setting expectations for your clients. As early as now, prepare announcements that will remind clients about this to lessen the chances of frustration. If possible, hire a dedicated rider or partner with a delivery service just for the season. If things work out well for your business, you might even consider extending this partnership year-round.
Prepare for the unexpected with emergency funds
Businesses often encounter unexpected expenses, and it's always good to have a contingency plan in place just in case this happens. Citi Personal Loans offer high loan amounts of up to P2 million without collateral or guarantor, approval in as fast as 24 hours, and flexible repayment terms of one to five years. All you need is your ITR and a valid ID to apply. With a Citi Personal Loan, you can plan your business your way.