6 Ways Technology Is Changing How We Conduct Business

Technology has been changing the way we work for decades, but in recent years, it seems as if something new pops up nearly every day. Most large corporations have had a web presence for years, and small businesses are beginning to realize just how important being connected is not only for clients, but also for employees.

Technology Has Changed the Hiring Process

Many people will notice technology as early on in a company as the hiring process. In the past, jobs required paper applications, and applicants who had a successful interview would need to wait for up to a week before background checks came in that proved they were legally able to work. These days, technology controls nearly the entire process. Most people who search for jobs do so online, and then upload or email their resume directly to a hiring manager. From there, an interview might include video chatting before meeting in person, and background checks can be done nearly instantaneously.

Technology isn’t always good for the hiring process, however—at least not for the applicant. With the rise of social media, nearly everybody has an account on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or all three. If these accounts aren’t private, a hiring manager will be able to see anything an applicant posts. Offensive or otherwise unprofessional posts often result in people being passed over for jobs they were otherwise qualified for. It is important to maintain a professional online presence for both companies and individuals.

When and Where People Work

Going to work no longer requires putting on your business attire, getting in the car and commuting to an office building. These days, many companies allow their employees to work from the comfort of their own home at least some of the time. This flexibility is beneficial to both companies and employees.

Employees like the ability to work from home because it allows them to keep their own schedule. Parents can stay home with their children, and in most cases, can schedule their work and business meetings around school hours, extracurricular activities, homework and dinnertime. It also allows people to live closer to where they’d actually like to maintain a home rather than having to stay close to the office. Many people live in different cities or even different states than where their employer is, commuting only as needed.

The ability to have people work at home is also beneficial for companies. Because they can offer such flexibility to their workers, they bring in a higher caliber of employees who are more suited for the job. Some companies even claim to save money because even though they are paying the employee an average or higher rate, they are not required to spend as much money on equipment because most employees use their own equipment at home.

Technology Changes How Meetings Are Conducted

Before the rise of video chatting and collaboration applications, meeting with colleagues or clients required everyone to available and at the same time, sometimes resulting in delays that cost the company money. Now that video chatting and other collaborative programs are available, meetings can be set up the same day in many cases, no matter where in the world people are. All it takes is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that has the chosen program on it. This type of technology has made it easier for small businesses to spread their product throughout the country, and for corporations to go international.

Company and Client Interaction

Clients benefit from new technology as well. For example, an interior design used to have to schedule multiple meetings with clients, providing consultations and hand-drawn designs over the course of several meetings before finally being able to work. These days, most interior design companies use software that creates mockups in minutes. The designer can consult with the clients at home and use a tablet or laptop to work on design ideas right then. The business loves saving money by taking less time to do the job, and the client enjoys receiving their product or service more quickly.

Technology and Advertising

Billboards are still a common method of advertisement for many small businesses, but it is no longer the quickest and easiest way to get your message out. These days, it is all about social media marketing. People are constantly checking their social media feeds and following companies they’re interested in. By creating unique and engaging content on social media, companies can introduce people to their brand for a fraction of the cost of a billboard.

Legal Documentation

Signing legal documents used to be time-consuming, not to mention the cost of all that ink and paper. These days, many people can sign them right on the computer and email them to the proper party immediately. Once such company that provides documentation services is DocuSign. CEO Keith Krach created DocuSign as a way to sign and deliver documents all over the world. The product, which is compatible with a wide range of applications, has more than 85 million users.

The best part about technology is that it’s always just the beginning. Advances are made every day. The world may not have millions of flying cars yet, but it does have the ability to work from home while wearing pajamas and still be productive, and that may be even better.