Discover What Technology (Gadgets!) Can Do for Your Business—Part 1

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Whether you're far from being a gadgethead or even the slightest bit technophobic, as a business owner you need to embrace technology, the great game-changer for entrepreneurs.

It comes down to working smart, using widely available technology to enhance and boost the effectiveness and efficiency of all your hard work. The simple fact is that tech tools make it possible to do some things that can't be done any other way, and make the rest a whole lot easier.

“Be sure, before you buy, to carefully consider your business needs and choose a machine that can handle them.”

Some, like having the right computer, are pretty obvious. Others you may never have heard about. Here, and in Part 2 of this column, is our best thinking on both types—gadgets and other tech tools that we've used with great success in our own entrepreneurial adventures.

Computers, the Bedrock of Efficient Business

Don't just shop the sales—there are always great ones if you look—when it comes time to replace your old computer or buy what will be the bedrock equipment for your startup.

Be sure, before you buy, to carefully consider your business needs and choose a machine that can handle them.

If you're in sales and always on the go, a laptop is probably your best choice. Whether with a client or in a coffeehouse taking a break from the road, you'll be carrying your operations with you.

But if you're usually office-bound, get a desktop computer with as much power as you can afford. You'll need it as you grow and, if demands outstrip your desktop's capabilities, it's much easier to add more memory, more speed and other hardware enhancements in this bigger box. Some of them are relatively simple to add yourself.

Best of all, a desktop forces you to designate a special place for your work, which helps you fully focus on the task at hand.

Some other things to think about:

• If you're mostly crunching numbers or working with text, either a PC or a Mac will take care of you fine.

• Are you using the computer mainly for graphics-heavy work? Web site developers, graphic designers and newsletter e-publishers clearly favor Macs, but the gap between them and PCs—which was mostly in the software applications that could be used by one of the other—has pretty much vanished.

• Whichever operating system, laptop or desktop you choose, don't scrimp on one of the most important accessories—the monitor. You'll be spending a lot of intense time with your machine, so give your eyes a break and buy the best quality and biggest screen you can afford.

Software, the Technological Brains of Your Business

If your new computer comes loaded with all-in-one business software, such as Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office Small Business 2007, you're probably covered for your specific needs across the spectrum.

This is especially worth considering because from now on, for PCs anyway, the pre-loaded operating system will be Windows Vista. Efficient integration is the goal, and using those products together will help you avoid any of the bugs that may pop up when installing other business software.

Whatever your choice, these are vital considerations for even a small business:

• The Basics: We use and like MS Office because it includes all the basics we'd otherwise have to assemble from other sources: an address book that ties in with your e-mail, a calendar system, Excel for making spreadsheets, and PowerPoint, which helps you quickly create dynamic and professional-looking presentations.

• Accounting: About half of small businesses still do things Grandpa's way, maybe out of technophobia. That's work, and it's not working smart. There's a good variety of affordable, easy-to-use, integrated accounting software on the market and, whatever your choice, it'll make your business more efficient and more strategic.

• Customer Satisfaction: If you don't have a strategy to keep customers satisfied, CRM—or Customer Relationship Management—software allows you to much more easily and efficiently to track their interests, needs, buying habits and contact information. Bonus benefits: custom-tailored marketing campaigns and more revenue coming in the door.

• Business Server: This is a next-step and should be carefully considered, no matter the size of your company. This special-purpose computer is the master administrator and traffic-manager of all of your company's computing activity. It coordinates and secures your other software uses, and it usually comes pre-loaded with server software, so "going live" is pretty much turnkey.

• Inventory: This software easily takes over vital but tedious chores, from keeping track of inventory and where it's stored to forecasting your future inventory needs. Best of all, it helps you be strategic and keep that merchandise moving in and out the door.

These tips will get you going quickly on the path to a new world of business efficiency and professionalism. There's plenty more, from establishing your presence on the Web to portable gadgets that don't just look cool, but keep your business humming.

We'll lay it out in Part 2. See you there.

By Rich and Jeff Sloan