We need to talk about data security — specifically, how to keep your glazing business' information safe and why cloud-based storage is the way to do that.
For some small glazing businesses, "the cloud" is like the boogeyman. They've always stored their data internally, either on individual computers or an on-site server and because they know the location of those items, they feel they are secure. But how diligent are those businesses with cybersecurity?
Smart-Builder will be returning to GlassBuild in September in Atlanta, Georgia. We are excited to be showcasing Smart-Toolbox, our job management and ERP software, as well as Smart-Glass, a powerful glass drawing tool for both installers and fabricators.
The general consensus on going paperless is that it is a good idea, but is it? The idea is commendable but the reality for many businesses, especially glazing businesses, is that paper is simply too damn useful. It isn’t practical for us to remove it from our daily operations and trying to eliminate it completely is, in my opinion, a total waste of time.
However, does this mean we should abandon hope altogether? The answer is no. I believe that we should be striving for a different goal: “Reducing paper reliance”.
Marketing automation means you waste less time doing repetitive marketing tasks, whilst doing a better job at converting prospective customers into actual customers. Automation can be applied to emails, social media, and actions on your website, making all of these things work harder and smarter for your business.
We've discussed the importance of technology in glazing before, but today we're going to look at three specific areas that are important to customers: how they find you, how you quote them, and how they pay you.
You may have heard reports recently about a large scale, ongoing, ransomware attack known as WannaCry (or WannaCrypt). It has affected over 230,000 in 150 countries, and has affected large companies like Telefónica in Spain and the National Health Service in the UK. It is a timely reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and staying vigilant in your security efforts.
Thinking of redesigning your glazing website? Here are 10 things to take into consideration before you get started.
Quoting can be a costly exercise. The time it takes to go on-site, measure, estimate, then communicate to the customer is far from trivial. Taking a few extra steps to ensure you win the jobs you quote should be a no-brainer for your business. However, within the building trades following up after quoting is almost non-existent. Only 16% of businesses said that they followed up regularly and of those that did only half said they would follow up more than once.
Keeping an eye on your competitors is an important part of your marketing efforts for your glazing business and crucial to ensuring you're a viable option for prospective customers. Figure out who your real competitors are and monitor their online presence, how they're targeting prospective audience, and where your strengths lie.
'Employee engagement' is about getting the most out of your employees and improving their commitment to your business.
Highly engaged employees have a good understanding of how their role contributes to the business as a whole. They are more likely to contribute new ideas and find better ways of doing things to help you achieve those goals.
