As you start in your business venture of becoming an entrepreneur there are key factors that you must have a basic understanding of in order to produce successful work. Of course, you can delegate certain tasks elsewhere to individuals with more experience in a certain skill, but there are some skills that you will need to develop. One of these skills is being tech-savvy.
Being tech-savvy doesn’t mean understanding HTML coding or rocket science, it’s simply knowing what technology you will need to carry out your business and how to effectively use it to streamline internal/external processes. We’re diving into the five basic tech skills we suggest you develop to make the most out of your business.
1. Access Your Office Computer from Anywhere
With the advancement of technology comes a lot of perks as an entrepreneur. The biggest, and possibly most important factor is being able to work from anywhere. Gone are the days of having to be in-office to get work done. You can now run your business from laptops, tablets, and even mobile devices. However, it is still important to have access to all your information and work that is on your office desktop.
Keep a file with information on how to log into your office network remotely, and how to access your office computer. Platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, and the Cloud allow you to do so by giving you access to files, audio, visuals, and more from virtually anywhere. The key point is to make sure that you’re able to receive vital information in an instant, no matter where you are.
2. Graphic Design and Image Editing
At some point, you may need to create or edit images for marketing purposes, whether it’s your website, social media, presentations, etc. Whatever the case may be, understanding the fundamentals of graphic design and knowing how to edit images are crucial skills to have in today’s market.
There are software programs like Adobe Photoshop and Canva that you can easily access on your desktop. There are also apps like VSCO and Facetune 2 that you can access from your mobile device in a jiffy. Practice using these platforms to increase your skill set that will make you a more valuable asset. This is a part of the branding skills you will need in order to have an advantage over your competitors.
Again this is a basic understanding of design and editing. You can delegate more complex tasks elsewhere, but understanding how it works can help elevate the work of any expert because only you know your brand the best.
3. Understanding Commonly Used Apps for Business
Depending on your business, one of the tech skills is understanding commonly used company apps. A great example of this would be the use of Zoom for virtual meetings, especially during time of working remote. You want to be able to utilize this video chat app for client meetings, team check ups, and hosting virtual events. If you stay up-to-date and really research these apps quickly, you’ll have a competitive advantage.
You should also understand the apps you’re wanting your team to use. If you’re using a task organizing app like Asana or Monday, take the time to read the provided guides on how to best use it. Even if you’re not using these on a regular basis, you should know how to use them.
Backup Your Information
We all know that dreadful feeling of working on a project for hours and then the computer crashing or links go missing, and all of a sudden you’re having to start from scratch. Don’t let this happen to you. Take preventative measures by backing up your work to the Cloud or an external hard drive (or maybe both). It’s important to know where your information lives and how to access it from anywhere.
Backing up information also helps in times when something goes wrong and you need instant access to business documents and reports from another device, or restore them to your current device.
Installing Anti-Virus Programs
Being an entrepreneur means you’re probably creating and holding onto important information, such as trade secrets, internal processes, and legal documents, which are not made for public knowledge. In order to prevent your information from being released, you’ll want to make sure your technology has anti-virus programs installed.
On top of this, you’ll want to have a business security protocol. This will include processes for team members who will need to manage their own devices if they are used for work purposes. You may also want to lean on security professionals who can make sure your business is compliant with rules and regulations. You never want your whole business at risk, so it’s important to take necessary precautions.
Utilizing Social Media
Social Media isn’t just for personal use, it’s a remarkably effective marketing and communication platform for entrepreneurs, as well. It’s the perfect platform for branding and getting your message to target audiences through features like ads. Think about what platforms your industry is prevalent on. For example, if you’re a millennial women empowerment organization, Instagram and Facebook may be the best ones because it’s more casual, community-driven, and hosts large amounts of your target audience.
Going beyond creating profiles, you’ll want to understand how to communicate with your audience and manage your brand through the platform(s). The social media space is always evolving and you need to be ready for it.
Do you feel prepared to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey? Now is the perfect time to invest in technology for working from just about anywhere, and what better place to snag the best deals than with Dell. Dell’s Quarterly Business Sale is coming up (July 22 - August 3, 2020). Don’t forget to visit Dell.com/eWomenNetwork to access your stackable coupons for your exclusive member pricing. eWomenNetwork members can save an extra 10% off all Dell-branded products.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to eWomenNetwork's direct point of contact Megan Wright at Megan_Wright@Dell.com or give Dell’s fabulous Small Business Advisors a call at 1-800-757-8442.
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