Running a business requires more than just financial solid and customer relations. To successfully grow and maintain your company, you must in-depth understand the latest technological trends. With this in mind, here are some potential impacts technology has on our global business conversations.
Mobile Devices
Mobile devices are increasingly used as communication channels. Communication media flows seamlessly between online and offline channels. The prominence of smartphones has created an entirely new way of communicating. People prefer to communicate virtually rather than sitting down together to have a conversation in person. With this constant proximity to people’s lives, businesses can engage customers more personally. They can achieve this by analyzing messages sent through mobile devices for engagement data and insights into customer lifestyles.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is becoming more prevalent as technology companies incorporate it into their products and platforms. It allows people to explore digital worlds with their iPhones or wearables. AR can be integrated with businesses from construction firms to hospitals through mapping applications. Because it is so new, people are still unsure how it will affect the business world. However, you can be sure that culture and ethics will have to change within the industry. The primary debate surrounding augmented reality relates to privacy and the ability of people to control what they see.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is already in nearly every aspect of life, especially with self-driving cars and Google’s search engine. AI allows us to use voice recognition to find information on our smartphones or machines that can make coffee for us. For this reason, companies are also incorporating services such as Ooma VoIP services. Even computers can speak like human beings with natural language capabilities. They can answer questions by looking at pictures in a library or iPad. Furthermore, AI is now being used to create language translation tools. These tools help to translate content into different languages within seconds.
Privacy and Surveillance
As more businesses rely on third-party software for their programs, privacy issues are increasingly concerned. Many companies are moving towards using cloud storage rather than hard drives and computers in their office, as it is a more secure option. Of course, all the data is stored in a central location that could be easily accessed by anyone given the correct security clearance or hack job. As companies move forward with cloud-based programs and apps, privacy will become even more of an issue. People will have to determine who can access the data they store and what they can do with the information.
Big Data and Social Media
With big data companies, people rely on social media trends to inform what books, movies, and music they want to buy. As these companies collect more data through your purchasing history, they can make more accurate predictions about what you will enjoy consuming next. Suppose you are a business owner. This data can assess your products before investing time and money into developing them. One of the ways this information is being used today is through market research. The research allows businesses to take surveys of customers who purchase their products.
Blockchain Technology
Cryptography and data security could significantly impact the business if you are interested. Blockchain is the technology used to create bitcoin and many digital currencies that now dominate the market. It works similarly to how it works on bitcoin. All information is saved publicly through an encrypted identifier. No one can interfere with the transactions made. The problem with this technology is that its future remains unclear. There are not many businesses using it today yet. As blockchain becomes more widely accepted, it could lead to more companies adopting cloud-based software.
Virtual Reality
This is perhaps the most significant trend in tech right now. However, it is still unclear how it will affect businesses and consumers. Most people say that virtual reality will be used to play video games and media. Still, some think it can also be used to better train employees or teleconference with others. Virtual reality also has a lot of potential in the medical field. Where doctors could practice surgeries before they begin operating on patients. However, this technology comes with a hefty price tag.
Business communication has changed drastically over the years. It will continue to do so as technology continues its rapid advancement. Businesses can adapt to these changes by implementing technologies to improve employee performance, increase communication efficiency, and provide a more productive work environment. However, it is not always easy to grasp the implications of these new technologies.
