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Mobile technology maturity and rising costs means more time out of the office for small business. SME Web recently reported how economic costs are forcing what is estimated to be over 50,000 small businesses to close down their offices.
But to what extent is the advancement and uptake of mobile technology contributing to this trend?
Research in Motion (RIM) recently reported on the pulling power that being on top of mobile technology presents small businesses with - a positive option that allows UK SME owners the ability to win a piece of business thanks to being able to stay in touch when on the move.
The research shows a staggering 48% of SME owners have won a piece of business thanks to being in touch with important leads at all times.
Sarah Probert of RIM who make the BlackBerry Smartphone series says that the value of being in touch with customers at all times is crucial for small companies who don't have the customer base that larger corporations do. When we take into account that about 71% of SME's are out of the office two or more times a week, the research - conducted amongst 150 UK SME owners - highlights that to juggle their business needs, SMEs need to ensure that they can communicate with their stakeholders and access key information wherever they want, regardless of where they are. Taking the plunge into a mobile workplace
Despite 69% of SME owners saying that reacting quickly to customer queries and communicating regularly are the two most critical aspects of having a successful relationship with their customers nearly a third of those polled said they still rely on the much slower communication method of letter writing. This indicates traditional ways of approaching business are still entrenched in the UK business world. Probert says that the uptake of mobile technology should not be something small businesses should overlook. With ever increasing applications providing flexibility business owners can incorporate more into their out of office activities than in the past. In the past it was only possible to download documents it is now possible to edit them on the move. Mobile technologies can today address the most important aspects of running and getting new business - Manage your customers more responsively, manage your cashflow more effectively and manage your time more productively. "We expect significant growth into the mobile workplace this year, and particularly in the small business market," says Probert citing a combination of tougher economic conditions and growing acknowledgment of the benefits offered by mobile technology.
Perhaps the hardest hitting part of the RIM report is that there was an overwhelming agreement (79%) amongst those that are in the process of starting up their own business that the use of mobile technology made setting up a business easier and cheaper.
It must however be stressed that research of the products on offer in the mobile market place are well researched before making any investment decisions.
Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director, RIM EMEA says that, "adopting the right tools and procedures from the beginning are key to long-term success," as technology needs will need to scale up as the business grows.
These are definitely times for fledgling businesses to be sharp and invest wisely. Getting caught in traditional and outdated approaches and strategies could result in businesses going down. As technology advances so do the benefits they offer, and so strategy must change and be flexible. Those that adapt and show creativity when it comes to finding new business and keeping costs down will find being out of the office potentially lucrative.
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