Technology has advanced quickly over the past 10 years. Who would have thought we would be checking emails on our phones, recruiting staff via social media or witnessing the phenomenon that is Facebook?
Ask any teenager what they think of email. They are highly likely to answer that it is only for "old people". Instead they communicate via social media, chat, SMS and other online avenues. What does this have to do with your business? One reason to think about this change in communication style is that one day soon, this age bracket will be in your target market (if they aren't already). Another reason is that many businesses have made the shift and frankly, you are being left behind if you don't investigate the possibilities ASAP.
So that leads to the next question: what are you doing about it in your business? You have three choices:
- Learn about social media and other current communication mediums and the way they can benefit your business
- Find someone else to manage it for you
- "Do nothing" - that is, continue to use only traditional methods of communication with clients and potential clients - which will ultimately lead to a rapid decline in your customer base
Obviously you know the correct choice is either 1 or 2. But it is big ask for those of you who have a technology "phobia". But when you consider that a recent SENSIS report showed that 86% of people search online before contacting a business directly, you can't afford not to investigate social media and emerging technologies. So talk to someone who you know is "technology savvy" and start investigating the ways that you can harness current (and future) communication mediums in your marketing strategies.
Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender