5 Technologies that can help your business

It is practically impossible to think nowadays, in a company, even of small size, that doesn’t make use of different types of technology. After all, the technological tools are in the day to day of a great part of the population.

This is due to the popularization of several resources, but also due to its ease of use, practicality and efficiency that provides for the most diverse activities. So why are there still businesses that did not add technology to their routine?

There are tools available for all sectors of an enterprise. So keep reading this article and get to know the 5 technologies that can help your business in the following topics.

  • Marketing automation system
  • Project management
  • Collaboration tool
  • Business Management Software
  • Customer relationship management

1 – Marketing automation system

Managing marketing in a functional way is the ideal way to increase the efficiency of this industry. While very important, not every business owns the marketing industry or a complete team. Therefore, the technological tools of automation in marketing are great allies of actions and advertising campaigns. You can find a variety of applications in this industry, such as the one that triggers emails and ads according to target audience targeting. They also make it faster to send content to potential consumers as per the sales funnel phase. That way, what would take hours and more hours to run manually can be done in no time with this technology.

2 – Project Management

Project management programs are other examples of technologies that can help your business. Currently, there is a wide variety of these applications, which basically allow them to work in teams even at a distance. In them, it is possible to determine a task for each member, stipulate delivery time and even track their performance. Among other functions is the sharing of files in order to do a collaborative work, exchanging impressions and ideas. While they are best suited for start and end projects, project management applications can also be used in an uninterrupted fashion. Thus, serving to organize the tasks of the team and distribute them.

3 – Collaboration tool

There are also collaboration tools that contribute to increasing your company’s performance as all your information is gathered for permanent analysis. As the saying goes, information is power. In this way, entrepreneurs can monitor and control all the data that involves their business and the market of action. And, as a consequence, make more assertive forecasts and always make the best decision. Data is presented through graphs and other interactive content. With this, the conclusions are obtained easily and quickly. In addition, this tool is customizable according to each niche market and the needs of the user.

4 – Business management software

Another indispensable technology for companies of all sizes and market segments is ERP software, a business management system that allows you to make your team work more dynamic. For that, all the data of your business is computerized. Sectors connect and procedures are automated. Thus, bank bill generation, invoice issuance, inventory control, cash flow and other tasks are executed on a single platform, increasing efficiency in your business. It is possible to have a reduced professional staff. After all, even with a small team you can do all your daily activities, faster, without losing quality and without anyone being overwhelmed.

5 – Customer relationship management

CRM software, a customer relationship management system, is one more of the technologies that can help your company. With it, you can organize all the information of your customers and the potential consumers of your brand. However, more than a well-crafted contact list, CRM integrates this stored data. The result is the ability to analyze customer interactions, anticipate needs and create assertive campaigns. These features lead to increased sales conversion and subsequent success of your business.

An article by: IT REFRESH

KPI’s sales that every business needs

Defining KPIs is essential to the good performance of a company. KPIs are key performance indicators that tell us what state the business is in and how far (or near) we are from meeting the stated goals. Based on the indicators and the company’s performance, managers can make more informed decisions. The sales area is one of the most important in any business, because it is through sales that companies manage to generate wealth to keep the business running. Each business has its own specifics, but there are KPIs across all areas. In today’s article, we’ll cover the sales KPIs that every business needs!

Speed of sale

Measuring the speed at which a sale is made is an important strategy to evaluate the company’s performance in attracting customers and responding to their expectations. The lower the sales cycle, the greater the effectiveness. Thus, it’s essential to invest in actions that stimulate the customer’s interest and in strategies that accelerate the purchase.

Average value of sale

This indicator is the result of the division of revenue generated by a seller by the number of sales made by the professional in a given period. This indicator is important because it allows to establish a profile for the members of a team and allows people to adapt according to their characteristics.

Churn Rate

The Churn rate indicates the percentage of abandonment of a product or service, meaning the number of customers who have given up on continuing with your business. The higher the churn rate, the lower the company’s chances of growth, as new customers will only serve to replace leaving customers and don’t generate new wealth.

Number of won deals

It’s important to know the number of closed deals in a given period to create realistic goals. A good example of the applicability of this indicator is to compare 2 sellers and check the number of closed deals and the average ticket. There are salespeople who prefer to work better on the lead, spending more time with it, and this lead can have a greater return from that customer.

Customer Recommendation Index

Indicator that shows us the percentage of current customers who arrived at the company due to the recommendation of another customer. To measure it, just ask the new customer how he met the company at the time of the sale. The best advertising for a business will always be word of mouth, so if this rate is too low you need to invest in this area to increase current customer satisfaction.

Follow up rate

Few sales are made on first contact with the prospect. You need to keep in touch with him a few times. This indicator aims to answer the question: how many contacts are needed to make a sale? In this indicator it’s also important to know how many customers close deals in the first three contacts. The answers to these questions will help define a new follow-up strategy.

Defining business indicators in a conscious way is fundamental to being able to analyze the business objectively. It is essential that the indicators analyzed show managers the way forward in order to correct errors and apply new strategies. Multipeers offers you a set of 50 KPIs essential for 360º management of your business. Download our e-book!

What is more important when choosing a management system?

Choosing a good management software is a great step to have a successful company. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, it is critical that companies equip themselves with the best possible tools so they can make informed decisions for the future of the business. Given the huge volume of management systems that exist in the market, the doubts in choosing the management software are immense. In today’s article, we leave you some tips to know what is most important when choosing a management system!

Choose a software that allows you to have the information in real time

Nowadays, information is more valuable than ever and it is essential that companies know what is going on with the business at all times. BAM tools such as Multipeers allow you to keep track of all business processes from a variety of data sources and are updated at all times. In addition, they allow you to set up business alerts so that the user is notified whenever an occurrence deviates from what is considered normal. Real-time information is increasingly a necessity and a reality in companies around the world.

Choose an easy to implement management system

If the management system you choose is too complex, users will find it very difficult to use it on a day-to-day basis, so the purchase will not have the desired results. It is very important that the management system responds to all business needs, but at the same time it should be easy to implement and quite intuitive in its use.

Safety should be the priority

A management software will know everything about your business. The confidential information will be placed there, so it is mandatory to choose a software that guarantees the protection and security of your information. If you choose a software as a Service (SaaS), you should carefully review the vendor’s backup policy and if you choose a product installed on a local server, you will need to have a team that frequently monitors information security.

Mobility is the future

The World is increasingly mobile and in companies this reality is no different. Anywhere, it is possible to consult emails and even attend meetings with people who are on the other side of the World. Companies increasingly understand the benefits of implementing mobility and the management system must integrate this functionality. Before purchasing the software, check that there is a good mobile version so it can be used anywhere in the world!

How to create an information security policy for your business

The protection of information of companies is the theme of the moment, due to the arrival of the new general regulation of protection of data. Companies are increasingly digital and without the prevention of data loss, their security is seriously compromised. Corporate security policy is an essential tool to ensure your data remains safe. In today’s article, we leave you important tips for creating an information security policy in your company.

What is a security policy?

The security policy is a document developed by the company that records the principles of security that the company adopts and that must be followed by the employees. The security policy should be applied to all information systems, both desktop and mobile. For policy to be respected, it is essential that top managers participate in the implementation.

How to create a good information security policy?

  • Define employee accountability: establish fines for misuse of company IT resources. There should also be rules on access to websites and recommendations on the use of the provided electronic devices.
  • Training: there should be practical training in the presentation of information security policy. The company must collect individual statements from its employees, committing themselves to comply with the rules contained in the document. This manual should be easily accessible to employees and should be reviewed frequently so that it is kept up-to-date.
  • Name a person in charge: the company must appoint a responsible person to monitor compliance with the information security policy. This employee should be responsible for detecting breaches and violations of the rules.
  • Make the security policy known: the document must be approved by the company’s human resources department. The rules in this document must be in accordance with the labor laws and the internal manual of the employees. After approval by the human resources, top managers should also do their approval.
  • Adopt a disaster recovery plan: disaster recovery plans are essential for planning actions that ensure that a disaster does not interfere with the company’s performance. In addition to this proactive action, disaster recovery plans also have a reactive action, through the action of carrying out emergency actions, previously planned and that guarantee the immediate resolution of problems. Disaster recovery is still defined as the set of procedures to be performed in crisis situations. The ultimate goal is to leapfrog your company data so your information stays safe and sound.

 

“Better safe than sorry” is an absolute truth when it comes to your company’s information security. Get to know IT PEERS security solutions and protect your data!

7 management tips for all businesses

Some management tips are universal regardless of company size. It is important that managers are always aware of market trends and the needs of their customers, so that they can constantly adapt to the reality where they are inserted. In today’s article, we leave you 7 valuable tips to better manage your company!

Get to know the market and your customers

It sounds like a very basic tip and that everyone knows, but the truth is that it is here where many companies fail. It is crucial that companies are well aware of the market they are in, so they will not be surprised by unexpected fluctuations. Likewise, it is imperative that companies know well what the public is communicating and that they know the specifics of their target audience. Only in this way can you create a message that meets the needs of the target.

Always know everything about your business

To understand one hundred percent what you do and to know at every moment the state of the business is essential for it to have good results. A good option to stay abreast of what is happening with your business is to use a real-time monitoring tool such as Multipeers, as you will be able to find all the information about all areas of the company in a single dashboard.

Keep your focus on the Customer

The Customer is the most important of your business and it is up to him to work. Nowadays, consumers are much more demanding than in the past and are more informed, which means that they must make a greater effort to meet all their needs. Maintain communication channels across platforms and be concerned to address all your needs. Only in this way can you gain loyalty.

Set Goals

If you do not know where you are going, any way is good. It is very important to establish goals and work as a team in order to reach them. The objectives must be measurable and realistic, otherwise they will only contribute to demotivating employees.

Invest in internal communication

Internal communication is often neglected, but it is one of the most important areas in a company because it deals with the main public of an organization: its human resources. It is important that there is fluidity in the transmission of messages, as well as transparency in the work environment. It is essential to implement business management channels and / or applications that facilitate communication between the various departments.

Use the PDCA cycle

PDCA means plan, do, check and act. It is a management technique linked to the improvement of a company’s processes. Its purpose is to solve problems, pointing out the causes for potential deviations and productive failures. This process makes the organization of the company more efficient in the long run and it is essential that it be applied from the moment of creation of a business, so that the improvement can be continuous.

Use an ERP

ERP management systems are used to improve the management of business resources and relate the data and processes in one place. Through the use of tools of this type, it is possible to integrate all sectors of the company so that the decision making is easier and more objective. The use of an ERP also allows the reduction of non-strategic costs and the creation of a greater competitive advantage.

 

The main implications of GDPR on human resources management

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will enter into force on May 25. In addition to bringing significant changes in the marketing area, it will also have a strong impact on human resource management. In order to avoid the large fines that non-compliance with the RGPD entails, companies need to introduce important changes in the process of personal data in a labor context. In today’s article, we address the key implications of GDPR in human resource management!

Necessary consent of the candidates for the processing of the data

If the tacit consent of the candidates was sufficient to enable the company to process their personal data, now companies need to obtain the explicit consent of the candidates for the processing of their data. Applicants who are not recruited must also give their consent for the processing of their personal data in future recruitment processes.

Updating database curricula

A written communication must be sent to the candidate in such a way that the candidate expresses his written consent to the retention of his data in the database. At this moment there should also be confirmation that the data is up to date and if not, the candidate should update them. If the candidate doesn’t respond to this communication, the company must delete the curriculum at the end of the established deadline.

Spontaneous applications

The human resources management area should create a procedure for obtaining consent from candidates submitting spontaneous applications where they accept the treatment and retention of their curricula. Here, the purpose of the data processing and the time frame in which the curriculum will be kept in the company database must also be indicated.

Company contact

Active recruitment can only be done with individuals who make their contacts available on platforms dedicated to the world of work, such as Linkedin. In this case, there is the will of the candidate to be contacted by companies. However, after the first contact, there must be an explicit consent from the applicant to the continuation of the processing of his/her personal data.

Preservation of personal data in the company database

The new regulation obliges companies to keep only the data that is up to date. In addition, there is a principle of minimization in the law that says that the data can only be kept by the company during the period strictly necessary. Thus, when a particular recruitment process is complete, human resources management must have a procedure to eliminate curricula and all the complementary documents collected during the process. The new law states that curricula will remain updated during a year and after this deadline the documentation must be deleted or there must be a written communication for the applicant to confirm or update their data.

7 Commandments to Ensure Customer Satisfaction

Satisfy the customer is the goal of all companies. Clients are the most important external audience and it’s their satisfaction (or lack thereof) that will dictate the success or failure of the business. A satisfied customer can become a loyal customer to your brand, so it’s essential that you know the needs of each customer. In today’s article, we present the 7 commandments to ensure customer satisfaction!

Attendance of excellence

Have a good relationship with the customer at the time of service. Be aware of his needs and, if possible, anticipate them by offering solutions. It’s important that you don’t use a standard care formula as this will sound false and will get the message that you treat all clients equally. Customers like to feel unique and special and you should reflect this in their service!

After sales service

The sale is not extinguished at the moment the customer buys. There must be follow-up after the sale, to see if everything is okay with the product or service and to be available to find other solutions to other possible customer needs. After-sales service is especially important in the B2B area.

Offer special conditions

Many companies, in order to attract new customers, offer special conditions to those who do not yet have any connection with the brand. This makes current customers feel penalized. In fact, the customer who already has with us some kind of relationship should be the beneficiary, not the other way around! Offering special prices and specific customer offers is a great way to keep the customer loyal for a long time.

Offer solutions

Today’s consumers are very knowledgeable and very demanding. They no longer seek a product, but a solution that solves their problems completely. When presenting your products or services focus on the problem that they solve. In this way, it will be much easier to capture the customer’s attention and get him to buy it.

Plan your work

Contact with customers and potential customers should be well planned to know exactly when to approach the customer. For example, you should always follow up after submitting a product or service to see if the customer has any questions. However, this follow up shouldn’t cause the customer to feel pressured. You should allow time for the person to think and decide if your product/service is effectively the best to meet their need.

Make contact easier

As we have already mentioned, today’s consumers are very demanding and you need to be always aware of their needs and wants in order to achieve them. In a world dominated by the Internet and social networks, brands that allow contact through these means benefit. Let your customer contact you through Facebook, for example. You can also put a contact form on your website.

Be honest

It sounds like a very basic advice, but in the sales area we still find many professionals with an unrealistic talk about the product. It is important not to overdo the qualities of what it has to offer, as this may sound false to the customer and pass a negative image on the seller. You should always be honest to the customer and you should have no problem saying you do not know something about the product, as long as you are willing to learn and inform the customer quickly.

The most important IT metrics for your business

The KPI’s are used to facilitate the identification of problems and to realize in what state of the fulfillment of the objectives the company is. When they are well used, they have a great impact on the results of the business. In the area of ​​IT, it is very important to use appropriate metrics so that managers in this area can improve the performance of the infrastructures that support the organization. In today’s article, we’ll cover the most important IT metrics for your business.

Uptime Index

This is one of the most important IT metrics. The index of uptime is the technological applications index and the higher the value, the better the performance of the IT structure. It is essential that the company’s technological infrastructures are always available so that productivity rates remain constant. It is unanimous that the ideal uptime should be 99% and for this it is necessary for the IT team to work with high performance methods to ensure constant availability.

Average wait time on the service desk

Another very important metric is the average time that the professionals take to respond to the requests placed in the service desk. The faster the service and the resolution of the situation, the better the IT performance.

Performance of servers

Servers are very important elements for a company, because it is there that all the necessary resources are centralized so that the whole structure is in operation. This is one of the most important IT metrics. You need to use server management methods and use constant monitoring forms. More and more companies entrust the management of their servers to specialized companies that guarantee security, high performance and permanent availability.

ROI

Return on investment is an important metric in any area and the more the IT area grows within a company, the more important it becomes to evaluate the return on investment. It is sometimes very difficult to show the profitability of an investment made in the area of ​​technology and that is why process automation has been gaining more space within organizations. The more automated the IT area is, the easier it will be to prove that you can anticipate problems and avoid system failures.

Average offline time

This KPI serves to analyze the average time an IT device or infrastructure was unavailable. It is a metric known as MDT (mean down time). This metric averages all the time the service was unavailable, for whatever reason: light problems, malfunctions, among others. This value is obtained through the sum of the time the system was unavailable to divide by the number of occurrences in that period.

BI and BAM: understand the difference between these two concepts

BI and BAM are terms that are very present in most companies. They are not necessarily independent terms, but neither the two tools are required to operate simultaneously in the same company: each is independent. There are still many doubts about the difference between these two terms and in today’s article we will talk about the main differences between BI and BAM.

What is a BAM system?

BAM stands for Business Activity Monitoring and is a tool that defines the process and technologies to be able to put information about the company’s KPIs in real time on a dashboard. What BAM does is only show in one place all the information coming from the most varied sources of data of the company, eliminating the need to consult several databases to know what is happening in the company at that time.

What is Business Intelligence?

BI is a technique that helps managers plan the company’s strategy by collecting and analyzing a large volume of data to understand the company’s performance and from there to decide more consciously about the future.

Relationship and differences between BI and BAM

Business monitoring tools facilitate the process of extracting information and making conscious and thoughtful operational decisions. Both tools use information to improve performance. The data analysis that the BAM tools provide is very efficient because it presents the information in a simple and concise way, allowing the manager to quickly be informed about the actual and current state of the business.

Unlike Business Intelligence, BAM systems don’t talk about past or future: they focus only on the present. The BAM system will integrate all the company information in one place so that the data can be consulted anytime, anywhere. BI will add an analytical culture across all sectors of the business so that everyone is aware of the state of the business. Real-time updated and analyzed information will provide improvements across all sectors of the organization.

 

These two concepts work very well if applied together in the company, so that you can understand all the information of your business in a simple way. The life of your company happens now and you must know at every moment what is going on with the business. Likewise, you must equip yourself with the right tools so that you can make the most appropriate decisions for the future!

Find how technology eliminates bureaucracy

We live in an age where everything is urgent and reducing (or even eliminating) bureaucracy is one of the big business goals. Restructuring processes and saving time are the big business goals when it comes to eliminating bureaucracy. The technology brings numerous benefits in this area and it is more than known that the excess of formalism delays the development of any company. In today’s article, let’s talk about how technology eliminates corporate bureaucracy!

Scan all

Excessive paperwork is a big business enemy because you spend a lot of time looking for information in folders and files. If everything is scanned and organized on a disk, it’s much easier to find the information we need. In addition, we save time that we can take advantage of to perform other important tasks.

Privilege the use of the Cloud

Storing your data in the cloud has many advantages, namely being able to access files at any moment from anywhere. Using this technology reduces the need to invest in equipment and enables the practice of home office.

Optimize meetings

Meetings are often more time-consuming than necessary, which is a waste of time. There is already software that allows you to plan your meetings, so that they don’t last longer than is strictly necessary. Likewise, it is possible to hold meetings through Skype and other similar programs, which eliminates the need for everyone to be physically present.

Use enterprise applications

Use WhatsApp to talk to all employees and to improve cross-departmental communication, start using Uber to make it easier to call a car and pay for it, use task management tools so everyone knows what each department is doing do. In this way, communication improves and the number of steps to complete a process drastically decreases, reducing bureaucracy.

Use real-time management software

Business monitoring software such as Multipeers allows you to analyze your business in real time, through a dashboard that compiles all information from the most diverse sources of information. In this way, it becomes much easier to know what is going on in the company and to make decisions consciously.

Use Office 365

Office 365 is a solution in the Cloud that offers features for creating Excel documents, texts and presentations. All these documents are essential to perform the administrative tasks and communication of any business. With Office 365 you can create and edit documents anywhere, giving business mobility to the business. Access to this tool is by user account and there is no need to install the program on all devices that the company uses.