Lionel Naidoo.
Lionel Naidoo, managing director of Dragon Information Systems, on navigating tech jargon when you are a small business.
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Published in association with
WHEN you are a growing business with big ambitions, having the right technology in place can make all the difference. But with so much jargon and ‘tech speak’ around, it may feel like a challenge to navigate.
According to a recent study, 57% of small firms do not understand what the term ‘digital transformation’ actually means – and that could see them missing out.
For those that have digitalised, revenues grew by 8.1%, with two-thirds of small businesses saying digitalisation made their business run more smoothly, 28% saying it helped them get paid faster and 38% saying it improved their customer experience.
Here at Dragon IS, technology is our passion and for more than a decade we have been supporting small to medium-sized businesses to gain the greatest value from their IT systems. We aim to make things simple – and a big part of that is how we communicate.
We will never bamboozle anyone with jargon or tech speak.
To build on that point, here, I have taken a closer look at some of the terms small businesses are likely to encounter, to help explain and demystify them.
CMS (Content Management System)
A CMS is a platform that allows you to create, edit and manage your website content without the need for any specific type of technical expertise. In recent years we have seen more and more CMSs popping up and that means it has never been easier to manage a website with little or no experience.
Why it matters: Using a CMS can help to simplify website management, saving you time and boosting productivity.
Responsive design
This refers to the ability of a website design to adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes. So, whether someone visits your website on a desktop computer, tablet or mobile, the experience will be optimised for the device they are using.
Why it matters: With more and more people now browsing the internet on mobile devices, having a responsive website is crucial for providing a positive user experience and stopping people ‘bouncing’ off – meaning they simply leaving the site as soon as they arrive (and potentially head straight to a competitor).
It can also help to boost SEO.
Cloud computing / Cloud telephony
Long gone are the days of businesses needing to have an onsite server and dedicated hardware. While previously employees might only have been able to access company systems and data when physically in the office, with cloud computing they can now do so from anywhere and at any time. All they need is an internet connection.
The same goes for telephone systems. Rather than being chained to a phone on a desk, with cloud telephony and the move to digital, employees can communicate from anywhere.
Why it matters: Cloud services offer scalability, cost savings and flexibility. They make remote working and working on the move easy.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management System)
CRM software can help businesses to manage their contacts and sales leads, record interactions and marketing efforts all in one place. They can be great for helping teams to spot trends and ensure they never drop the ball on any new business opportunities. Some popular examples include HubSpot, SalesForce and Zoho.
Why it matters: A good CRM system can streamline customer communications and help you to nurture leads effectively.
Phishing
Phishing is a form of cyberattack where scammers will impersonate a legitimate entity – pretending to be a bank, the Post Office, HM Revenue & Customs or other company, for example – in order to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or their credit card details.
Why it matters: Recognising phishing attempts helps prevent data breaches and financial losses.
Social engineering
Social engineering is the name given to cyberattacks that prey on humans. Phishing emails are one form. There is also text messaging (smishing) and phone calls (vishing).
In each case, a cybercriminal will attempt to trick an employee into clicking on a malicious link or volunteering sensitive information. The approach will usually include a time-sensitive call to action.
Why it matters: Unfortunately, all it takes is one employee for this type of attack to be successful. It is a weak spot to which even major multinational corporations have fallen victim.
Dragon IS works with small and medium-sized businesses, helping them with a broad range of issues relating to their IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. Email info@dragon-is.com or call us on 0330 363 005.
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