How to find the right technology to bring breakthrough growth to your business

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

It is estimated that the average business uses more than 75 technology tools on average. Clearly, organizations recognize the potential this can have for their growth, even if they are a little overzealous in embracing it.

If you're still unsure how today's options can positively impact you, understanding some of their key use cases can help you recognize its potential.

Improve productivity

One of the most obvious ways businesses use to fuel their growth is through . These tools support both mundane and essential tasks that don't require as much thought or insight from your team. They give employees more time to focus on higher-level activities, while reducing the risk of human error that can creep in when performing a low-level, repeatable task.

For example, research shows that using automation tools can increase sales productivity by 14.5% while simultaneously reducing overhead costs by 12.2%. Marketing this software helps increase leads by allowing marketers to better recognize qualified leads and helping them improve the nurturing process.

Automation can help you do other things that aren't directly customer-facing. From processing invoices or time off requests to syncing scheduling to setting up meetings, it can take on countless "behind the scenes" tasks that streamline your work and boost productivity.

"[This] leads to not only removing workers from the equation, as has been wrongly suggested in the past, but helping workers by shifting the 'boring' aspects of their jobs to technology, leaving them in a place to focus on more important tasks,” writes Darryl Seland, for Quality Magazine. machines do all the work, although advances in technology may make it seem so."

Related: How to use automation (and avoid pitfalls) as an entrepreneur

Improve customer service

Positive interactions can make all the difference in building lasting loyalty. Research from indicates that 69% of consumers believe that customer service is essential to securing their .

As a blog post from Envision Consulting explains: "It is increasingly common for companies to have live chat features on their websites, allowing potential customers to speak directly with a The interactive nature of online chat can help customers get their questions or concerns resolved much faster."

The right technology can also result in more personalized experiences that make consumers more likely to buy in the first place. Tracking user interactions on your website can provide insight into purchases a customer is considering. This can then be used for emails or campaigns that more directly target a user's interests and behaviors.

Better data means better decision making

Without reliable information to support your decision-making, you could lead your business down the wrong path.

Once again, technology can drive growth, this time by helping leaders make data-driven decisions. Not only do technical resources help collect and aggregate data, but many tools also provide analytical insights based on that information to help you make decisions.

Notably, in a PwC survey of over 1,000 senior executives, it was found that "data-intensive" organizations were three times more likely to experience major improvements in their decision-making processes compared to compared to those that are less data-driven. peers. Quality research can help you become more proactive in implementing needed changes and have greater confidence that you are taking...