Technology and Business Growth

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) "As a business owner, it is vital that you understand and use advanced technologies. Technology can help increase business efficiency and even expand operations." Source. The SBA cites such conveniences as accounting software, planning software, and time tracking software as providing efficiencies to the small business owner. When small business owners have several email accounts that are used to manage the company, email management software can make the task easier. In addition having mobile Internet access allows the business owner to follow up with customers in an extremely timely manner, making them both more efficient and more competitive.

In our marketing unit, we discussed the marketing importance of a business having an online presence. Many businesses today use the Internet, not only for advertising purposes, but also for carrying on business operations both inside and outside of the business. Most companies today are either Internet enabled or Internet enhanced. A business is Internet enabled when it carries on business manually that can be accessed online. For instance, paperwork may be done both by hand and online. A business is Internet enhanced when it only works via the Internet. In other words, without the Internet there would be no business. Walmart is Internet enabled, whereas Amazon is Internet enhanced.

The level of Internet involvement a business has is dependent largely on two things: the type of product and service provided and how tech savvy the business owners are. Some businesses are anchored, meaning they provide a good or service that must be delivered in a physical place. A "virtual" haircut, for instance would not be quite the same as a real one. So while you would still need to visit a salon for a new hairdo, there are still ways a hairstylist or barber might use the Internet for business. They could certainly use it for advertising, and many currently use it for scheduling appointments. Such a business would be considered Internet enabled. For a business to be Internet enhanced, it can't be anchored, and business owners would need to be very tech savvy, because all their business from advertising to sales and customer service will be done online.

Internet Enhanced vs. Internet Enabled Interactivity

Can you tell the difference between jobs that are Internet enhanced and jobs that are Internet enabled? Test your knowledge by completing this sorting activity.

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