Over the last twenty-nine years, we have transformed into a digital culture. One of the most significant impacts of the internet has been on business. The way we buy and sell is now totally different from the traditional methods of going to the high street. We can communicate instantly with consumers, and they can voice their praise or complaints at the touch of a button. The world of business has become a much larger place, operating in a way that is so connected we can deal with companies on the other side of the world as if they were in the office next door.
There is now a constant flow of information and consistent communication. We’ve seen the world grow from handwritten communication that takes up to a week to receive, the arrival of the fax machine which sped up the process if you had the technology, and now email—instant messaging which allows us to contact each other in seconds. Our phones are just as capable as our laptops, meaning we can speak to anyone in the world, whether we are on the bus or sitting in our gardens. Social media has become a great place to research a company, see complaints, read reviews and get to know first hand if a product or service is worth investing into.
We often hear people say about meetings “That could have been an email” and this is because the technology we have available today makes a face to face meetings seem a little archaic. We use skype to have video conference calls which save travelling times and expenses but keep us together to discuss ideas and build new directions.
All across the world, people have struggled with the work-life balance, and now the internet has helped us to spend more time at home. With a rise in remote working, companies are starting to see more productivity through their employees. They are also able to use services without bringing people into their offices which means they can access some of the best people, regardless of their location in the world.
The way business works now means that IT services are more critical than ever. Keeping a company up and running at all times is vital. Especially for eCommerce companies which offer their products and services to consumers, without the need for an expensive shop or their customers leaving their homes.
The internet has also seen more importance placed on reviews and customer feedback. It is a brilliant way of bringing people to your company, and you can promote positive reviews to your new consumers. However, with this also comes the ability for everyone to see negative reviews, this can help a company highlight issues, but it may also be catastrophic if it is dealt with in the wrong way. The demand for customer service and aftercare is now much more significant because it is being done in front of a live audience.
There is no doubt we have yet to see the full potential of the internet and how it will grow to benefit business and give consumers more power. The future is exciting, and the world of business will become more dynamic and more in touch with the consumers.
