The New Year is here, and that means resolutions... but have you thought about making resolutions for your small business network? After all, your network is one of the single most crucial pieces of infrastructure at your operation. It's undoubtedly keeping your employees productive, as well as powering many of the methods linking your business to your customers.
This is a great time to think about your plans for your small business network, and how to best leverage it to make it into an even more profitable asset for your business in 2018!
Five New Years Resolutions For Small Business Networks
1 - We will invest in better security.
Simply put, no matter how much security you currently have in place, it could probably be better. We've seen gigantic increases in cyber-crime in the last couple years, and the various law enforcement bodies of the world have not gotten any better at stopping them. No one can keep your network safe but you and your own efforts.
So look at your systems in place, and find the areas you can shore up. Maybe even think about ordering a network security probe from an outside contractor, to find out how safe you really are. And while you're at it...
2 - We will provide better employee security training.
Even if you can't afford any new security upgrades, everyone can afford to spend some extra time training their workforce. That might be the most important security investment of all, considering that the wide majority of security breaches, data thefts, and other criminal intrusions had some level of human error at their heart.
Keep up with best practices on employee security. Make sure they're using their devices in a smart manner. Keep them off dodgy websites. Make sure they can recognize "phishing" emails and other social-engineering attempts. Create a human firewall.
3 - We will update our collaboration technology.
Unless your operations are truly tiny, there are undoubtedly cloud-based technologies which can help improve productivity. Perhaps it's document-sharing systems that allow for go-anywhere collaborative creation. Maybe it's IP-based telephony or video systems. Maybe it's robust Consumer Relationship Management databases for getting closer to your market.
Some of these would cost money, but others can be found for free - or cheap enough as to make little difference. Either way, leverage the cloud and global communications to your advantage.
4 - We will get onto a new social media network.
Social media is still huge, and only growing larger every year. When is the last time you opened up a new social media account? In particular, visual systems such as Tumblr, Pinterest, and Instagram have been becoming big in the last couple years. If there's any aspect of your product that is visual, these systems could significantly improve your outreach for very little extra time or money.
If you're still only on the big three (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) broaden your horizons. Do some demographic research, and find some new members of your target market.
5 - We will provide the WiFi our customers expect.
Unless you never have customers in your offices, robust guest\customer WiFi is an investment that will pay off. For one thing, most customers now outright expect it. Also, there are numerous ways it can be monetized - from selling upgraded tiers of service, to using it to create a customized portal with more up-selling potential.
Don't skimp on WiFi. Your in-person customers will notice.
Grow Your Network With Hummingbird Networks
No matter your networking goals for 2018, Hummingbird Networks can help make it happen. Contact us today to discuss your plans for growing your network.
