The Importance of Connectivity for Small Businesses
/Connections matter to small businesses. That’s not just about networking with the right people. Success depends on having the right technology in place to seamlessly connect with customers, suppliers, and employees. Here are five steps small business owners can follow to give their businesses the best chance to succeed this National Small Business Week (4/28-5/4) and beyond:
Step 1: Evaluate Bandwidth Needs
Specific bandwidth needs will vary from business to business. A small office with a handful of employees has different bandwidth and connection needs than a 100-seat restaurant with a state-of-the-art point-of-sale (POS) system and a robust Wi-Fi network for its patrons.
Step 2: Add Layers of Technology
Build on an Internet connection with business-grade technology solutions, such as cyber-security tools and Wi-Fi-enabled data analytics, that give companies insight into how to run their operations more efficiently.
For example, a retailer might use Wi-Fi-enabled data analytics tools to understand customer foot traffic patterns in their store. This can provide insights into the busiest times and areas within the store and help the retailer make smarter decisions around everything from staffing to inventory management.
Step 3: Lock up Critical Data
Data security should always be a top focus for small business owners. After all, it’s not just big companies that fraudsters are targeting. According to the 2023 Comcast Business Small Business Cybersecurity Report, the company blocked over 390 million phishing attacks targeting small businesses in the second quarter of 2023.
As a first line of defense, small businesses should make sure their Internet provider offers security solutions that help protect devices on the network from threats like malware, phishing scams, ransomware, and botnet attacks. And don’t forget about mobile devices, smartphones and other mobile devices can also present a security risk that should be factored into the overall cybersecurity plan.
Step 4: Leave Room for Growth
As small businesses grow, expand, and enter new markets, they need technology infrastructure that can keep pace. That’s why businesses need to ensure that the technology they choose is flexible and compatible across multiple locations and can be monitored centrally. The right connectivity partner is prepared to keep up with your evolving needs, whether for a restaurant adding a new location or a company with a growing and distributed workforce.
Step 5: Select a Strong Mobile Phone Provider
Choosing the best business mobile partner is different than selecting a personal mobile provider. The top factors small businesses should consider include:
● Flexibility: A good mobile provider offers flexibility in their plans, allowing small businesses to customize based on their business requirements. That flexibility should extend beyond the original purchase and scale and flex to toggle, mix, and match between unlimited or by-the-gig data options. Importantly, find providers that give more savings as the company grows, with discounts that increase as more lines are added.
● Device compatibility and availability: A mobile partner should offer a wide range of devices to meet specific technology needs since no two small businesses are the same. Whether the company needs tablets, phones, smart watches, hot spots, or a combination of them all, a good partner can work to select the specific devices that meet individual businesses requirements.
While National Small Business Week is a time to recognize the impactful work of small businesses in our communities, it is also a great time to share resources and knowledge to better support these organizations. By following these steps, small businesses can build the foundation for success now and into the future.