8 Technology Changes that will Impact your Business in 2012

The Ever Changing World of Technology

While I don’t own a technology crystal ball, I can assure you of one thing… It will change - and so to must your business technology if you are to stay in the game.

I believe technology will play a larger role in business in the next few years than it has in all previous years of business history. At no time has technology evolved as fast and furious as mobile and online technology has in the last couple of years.

Recently there was an article in Wired Magazine that stated the Internet as we know it is dead. The article claimed that websites and browsing will migrate to a world of applications and dedicated connectivity, which means that the internet will be a massive nerve system that streams information at incredible speeds. So what effect does this have on your business? A huge one actually... Here are some technology areas that are starting to impact how we do business right now:

1. Cloud Computing - We are moving away from centralized in-house servers and systems to an internet cloud environment that provides storage, email, and other applications. If you are not exploring cloud computing for your company now - you should be or you will be left in the dust.  
2. Mobile Applications - More and more companies are developing mobile applications for their business and customer interaction. A good example of this is the Great Clips app that tells you wait times for getting your hair done in salon's. You might want to start exploring apps for your business.
3. Mobile Content - Is your company website optimized for viewing on an iPhone/Smartphone, or listed on Foursquare? If not, you’re behind the curve already.
4. Mobile Payments - Is your business equipped to accept mobile payments? Google Wallet and Square are serious game changers and will impact your operations sooner than later.
5. iPad Menus - If you haven’t ordered a meal or viewed a wine list on an iPad yet - don’t worry you will soon. If your staff members and line workers are still carrying around clipboards, you have an iPad application waiting to be developed.
6. McTV - Call it gimmicky if you want - but don’t underestimate the power of digital TV or McDonald's. Deploying localized digital TV into restaurants is nothing earth shattering at first blink, but if they virally interact with their customers through it by conducting polls, customer feedback, music, and other social connections… this is a big deal.
7. Social Media - Just when you figure out one platform - along comes another. Social media is here to stay and you will need to stay abreast of it to compete online and offline.
8. Twitter - Easy to dismiss - but more and more executives are using Twitter to communicate with peers… including me. You need to pay attention to this movement and how it may play out for new business development and customer interaction.

While some or all of these technology changes may have an effect on your business at some point - the most important thing to remember is that they will affect you, your company, and how you do business. There is no escaping the moving sands of technology.

To prove my point - check out the video below. This is the future of staff training and customer interaction >>

Till next time... Be Bullish on Profits!

So what does your company do to stay ahead of the crowd with technology? Email me your tips for a chance to be included in upcoming articles.

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