Contractors that don’t use the latest business technologies will have a hard time keeping up with competitors as mobile devices become more important to everyday life. Look over these technologies to determine whether they could help your company.
Create 3D Drawings and Get Client Approval Quickly
Image via Flickr by FHKE
It’s often difficult for clients to communicate their ideas to contractors. Few clients know the right way to describe what they want. They end up using vague terms that are more confusing than helpful.
With software like SketchUp, though, designers can quickly create 3D drawings to get client feedback. Since someone adept at using the software can make a useful drawing within a matter of minutes, it significantly reduces the amount of time you spend get your plan okayed.
As the designer, you can literally make a plan and show it to the client for immediate feedback. They’ll say “I didn’t it that low” or something similar. You make an adjustment, show it to them again, and move the project forward.
Have the Right Number of Employees When You Need Them
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No matter what kind of contract services your company offers, you need to know how many employees to put on each job. If you have employees sitting around with nothing to do, then you are wasting money. If they’re so slammed that they can’t offer good services, though, you run the risk of losing clients.
Many contractors now use job scheduling software that helps them predict how many employees they will need for certain jobs.
Let’s say you run a call center that gives people movie play times and other updates. You know that Friday and Saturday are your busiest nights. But you don’t know how many people you need on the phone until you analyze the information.
With good scheduling software, you strike the perfect balance so that you save money without negatively impacting service.
Take Payments With Your Smartphone
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Companies can lose a lot of money just waiting for clients to pay their bills. If you send someone an invoice, they might not pay you for 30 days or more. You don’t have any legal recourse to collect until even more time has passed.
You can encourage clients to pay as soon as possible, though, by using your smartphone as a credit card machine. Try using apps like:
- Square
- iPay POS
- Swipe It
- Credit Card Terminal
- Mobile Merchant Pro
With the right hardware, these apps let you get payment immediately. It’s harder for clients to avoid you when you’re standing there with a credit card reader in your hand.
Keep Your Contacts in One Place
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You can’t rely on business cards to keep track of your clients and partners. They’re too easy to lose. Even when you do keep them organized, they’re back at the office instead of on the road with you. Take advantage of technology and use your smartphone to organize your contacts. Whether in an app, or simply in the address book, your smartphone can eliminate that Rolodex.
What are some other types of tech that have contributed to your business success? Are there some options your hesitant to adopt?