The INNOVATION REVIEW ON INFOTAINMENT & APPS event is an opportunity for Autotech Council members, OEMs, automotive suppliers, mobility startups, and VCs to focus on the innovation and importance of infotainment and apps. The event will feature presentations from industry experts on a variety of topics, including:
New UIs, voice, gesture, additional screens and HUDs
Nav, routing, logistics, and energy efficiency
V2V, V2I, smart city
Artificial intelligence
Augmented reality
Video and audio entertainment, streaming
Rear-seat entertainment and features
Personalized content
Downloadable apps
Security and privacy
HVAC and comfort
Advanced connectivity
Autonomous capabilities
The event will also provide networking opportunities for attendees to meet with potential partners and customers. Click on the red button and register to attend the INNOVATION REVIEW ON INFOTAINMENT & APPS event on December 6, 2023, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm PT.
A big part of planning for small business success is a business continuity plan. This is the fallback position your business has when a natural disaster, power outage, or any one of a number of mishaps threatens your company’s ability to function.
Here’s an insight from Mike Clayton, discussing the essentials of a Business Continuity Plan:
How to Get Started with a Business Continuity Plan
One of the first things that you will need to do is understand the natural disasters like floods and wildfires that can happen in your area. This is a good starting point so that you can tailor make a business continuity plan that reacts to any potential issues of this kind. Here’s a good starting point to better understand some of the risks.
Take Proactive Measure
Having one of these plans in place is a proactive measure. It is also motivational even if the disaster doesn’t strike because it shows your customers and shareholders as well as your employees that you are prepared.
Here’s some of the steps that you should work through with your small business to come up with a plan that will put everyone at ease.
Put an Emergency Team Together
Being ready for an emergency that can otherwise disrupt your business means having an emergency preparedness team in place. These are people that will be the foundation for how your business reacts and how operations will be able to continue.
Having this team in place means selecting some individuals or maybe a few managers who will be up to the task. They should have a thorough understanding of how your business works and these individuals all need to be reliable when it comes to decision-making.
If the whole idea was the brainchild of a committee in the first place, it’s a good idea to let them take charge although one person should lead the entire planning process.
Look at the Risks
Finding out where your company is vulnerable by looking at the risks and doing an assessment is the next step. One of the ways to approach this type of assessment is to take proactive steps for each disaster possibility.
In other words, it’s a good idea to be able to see any potential disruptions before they happen. There’s a National Weather Service that you can monitor and local services too. If you’re in a location where potential IT outages are an issue, assigning someone to monitor your network is a good idea.
If your business is near a body of water, making some flood preparations is a positive step.
Determine Essential Services
You’ll also need to be able to determine the essential services for your small business. Some of the things that your company does might need to satisfy regulatory requirements so they should be top priority. You might be in a business that makes goods or services that can impact the health and safety of your customers.
Your business may experience a disruption because of interruptions in power lines or communication. These are considered essential services because you need to keep them running so you will need to consider alternate sources like generators.
Indentify Major Customers
Even if your products and services don’t fit in those other categories, you’ll want to be able to earmark major customers that keep you afloat financially. Ticking off check marks next to your major clients so they are in the essential services category is a good idea.
Prepare an Action Plan
This is one of the foundations of your entire business continuity plan. It should start by describing the essential parts of your business that you identified in the previous step. Clearly mention the individuals in charge here.
It’s a good idea to have backups as well. This is the meat and potatoes of all planning that you’ve done. Everything needs to be covered here. This includes how you’re going to reallocate staff to keep things moving and what plans you have for using other sectors to keep the essential parts of your business up and running.
Any changes that you need to make with delivery models and business reporting are detailed here. An important part of any action plan lists contact information should you need to contract services including staffing and equipment.
Keep in mind you have a variety of software solutions that can help you by providing access to the cloud for disaster recovery.
Test and Train
Once you have a plan in place, you will need to test it and train the continuity team. By running through a few mock exercises, you see where the plan needs tweaking. It’s a good idea that you continue to test even when you get the plan to where you think it needs to be. Reviewing your plan quarterly is a good idea to stay on top of any changes that need to be implemented.
Table: Key Steps in Developing a Business Continuity Plan
This comparison table summarizes the key steps involved in developing a BCP from the previous list. It serves as a concise and informative reference for small business owners and entrepreneurs. The snapshot provides a quick overview, allowing small business owners to understand and compare different aspects of the planning process. It ensures you cover all essential areas to enhance your business’s resilience:
Step
Description
Purpose
Understanding Natural Disasters
Assess local risks like floods, wildfires.
Tailors the BCP to potential local emergencies.
Proactive Measures
Implementing the BCP as a preventive strategy.
Prepares the business and reassures stakeholders.
Emergency Team Formation
Select individuals/managers for the preparedness team.
Creates a dedicated team for emergency response.
Risk Assessment
Identify vulnerabilities and potential disruptions.
Anticipates and prepares for various disaster scenarios.
Determining Essential Services
Identify crucial services for business operation.
Ensures continuity of critical functions.
Identifying Major Customers
Earmark key clients for prioritized service.
Maintains financial stability and customer relations.
Action Plan Development
Detail strategies for maintaining essential operations.
Outlines steps for business functioning during crises.
Testing and Training
Conduct mock drills and team training.
Evaluates and improves the BCP’s effectiveness.
Reviewing and understanding each of these steps is essential for creating a robust and effective business continuity plan, capable of safeguarding your business against a range of potential disruptions.
Incorporating Technology and Digital Strategies into Your Business Continuity Plan
In today’s digital age, integrating technology and digital tools into your business continuity plan is a necessity. Why? For starters, this integration is paramount to enhancing resilience and operational continuity. These strategies not only ensure business stability during disruptions but also provide a competitive edge in rapidly changing scenarios.
Here are key aspects to consider:
Leveraging Cloud Computing: Utilize cloud services to ensure data safety and accessibility. This approach enables remote work capabilities and maintains customer services during disasters.
Utilizing Communication Tools: Implement digital communication tools to keep teams connected and operations running smoothly, especially in cases where physical office access is restricted.
Implementing Cybersecurity Measures: Develop robust cybersecurity strategies to protect your business from increased risks during emergencies, such as phishing attacks or data breaches.
Digital Training and Simulation: Use virtual training programs to prepare your team for various emergency scenarios, offering flexibility and ensuring everyone understands their role in the continuity plan.
Automating Critical Processes: Automate essential operations to maintain continuity with minimal human intervention. This is particularly crucial for processes that are critical to business functioning.
Data Analytics for Risk Assessment: Employ data analytics to predict potential threats and prepare accordingly. This proactive approach helps in refining the business continuity plan, making it more effective over time.
By incorporating these technological and digital strategies, your business continuity plan becomes more dynamic, adaptable, and equipped to handle the challenges of the modern business environment.
Find a Business Continuity Plan Template
Putting together a business continuity plan is easy if you can find a template and just fill in the blank spaces to tailor make it to suit your business. There are a series of excellent resources to help you with a small business plan including The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard on Continuity, Emergency and Crisis Management. Here’s another version you can download and customize for your small business.
Search engine optimization is among the most important marketing concepts for any business. There are tons of factors to consider when crafting your strategy, from keyword selection to establishing authority. So how can you mesh these methods to create a winning SEO strategy for your business? Members of the online small business community share their top tips below.
Establish Topical Authority and Rank High in Your Niche
Websites that are recognized as experts on a specific topic tend to rank higher in search results. So how do you establish topical authority? Learn more in this post by Erik Emanuelli. Then visit the BizSugar community to see what members are saying.
Stay on Top of the Latest SEO Trends
SEO techniques are constantly adjusting due to changes in platforms and algorithms. So staying on top of trends is paramount. In this Search Engine Land post, Sam Hollingsworth details how to stay up to date with the latest trends in this ever-changing industry.
Boost Search Traffic with These Easy SEO Tips
Improving your SEO doesn’t need to be complicated. There are tons of easy strategies you can use to start bringing in results right away. Check out this 99signals post by Sandeep Mallya for tips.
Avoid These Issues When Developing a Search Optimized Website
If you want your website to rank highly in search results, you need to avoid common issues that may flag your content in searches. Unfortunately, there are many mistakes that keep small businesses out of those top results. Cezary Dobrowolski lists several potential issues to look out for in this Ideamotive post.
Try These Link Building Strategies That Actually Work
Link building is a common strategy that businesses use to enhance SEO. But some methods are more impactful than others. Learn how to actually improve your SEO with link building in this Platter of Gold post by Anthony Williams.
Understand Your Pages Per Session Metric Value
Understanding your website analytics can dramatically help you improve SEO and bring in more traffic. But some metrics, like pages per session, often leave small business owners guessing. To learn what a good value is for this important metric, read this Independent Analytics post by Ben Sibley.
Stand Out with Google’s New Search Label Features
Google recently rolled out some new features aimed at helping small businesses stand out in search results this holiday season. In this Search Engine Journal post, Matt G. Southern goes over the new capabilities and how they might impact your SEO strategy.
Find New Keywords for Your Site
The keywords you focus on in your website can make a huge impact on the success of your SEO strategy. If you think it’s time to find some new ones, read the tips in this Semrush post by Dana Nicole.
Consider the Most Common Ecommerce Backlink Types
Backlinks can improve the SEO success of any website. But they’re often especially important for ecommerce businesses. In this post, Neil Patel outlines several of the most common types for ecommerce business owners to know.
Get SEO Traffic Without Ever Ranking
Ranking highly in search results is often a main goal of a company’s SEO strategy. But it’s not the only way to bring new traffic to your site. In this Search Engine Watch post, Daniel Tannenbaum shares several strategies to help you bring in new visitors even if your site doesn’t rank.
If you’d like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.
Exceptional customer service remains a pivotal factor in distinguishing successful businesses, regardless of their size or industry. This guide delves into the art of delivering outstanding service, offering insights and strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and foster loyalty.
Understanding that every client has unique needs and preferences, these tips are designed to help businesses navigate the diverse demands of their customer base, ensuring that each interaction not only meets but exceeds expectations.
Embracing exceptional customer service is more than just solving problems—it’s about creating an environment where every customer feels valued and heard.
Exceptional Customer Service Tips
Every person wants to feel important, and like their needs and issues are being met with sincerity and competence. Customer service in the past meant greeting a customer when they walked in and addressed any concerns or questions in person.
We are immersed in an almost entirely digital world. It is guaranteed while you may understand why your online business is unique and important; and you or your company are the right person for the job, that’s hard to tell for an average consumer.
If your company is entirely online, whether a startup or an established corporation, you can’t risk a bad customer experience.
According to this American Express study (PDF) having exceptional customer service and satisfaction not only correlates to existing clients spending more money; it also means attracting new clients. Loyalty, word of mouth, and satisfaction are things that can sometimes make or break a business.
A good reputation is important for growth and success. That’s why the customer experience should be one of if not the most important keystones of your marketing platform.
Modern businesses need to adapt their customer service strategies to thrive in a digital marketplace. Here are five essential tips to enhance your customer service:
Start Off On the Right Customer Service Foot
If a potential customer has received no personal recommendations from a friend or colleague, they open up their computer, search for the product or service they want, and start to narrow down the data to find what might work for them.
While your website or app might be sleek and beautiful, engaging and easy to use, people will still have questions. Your team may be impressive and come with high accolades, people will still have questions.
An individual embarking on a new career path they might not be familiar with yet, will appreciate customer service the most.
For instance, someone trying to grow their small business online with a mobile app or website design would appreciate feeling welcomed and encouraged the second they open your page.
This is where the opportunity to provide exceptional customer service experience from the very beginning first presents itself.
A live chat option can be immensely helpful. It has the personal touch of speaking to a real person with the convenience of distancing yourself from a product you aren’t fully invested in yet. It makes a customer feel heard and acknowledged without the pressure of feeling the need to buy or upgrade.
Often just a simple live chat icon somewhere visible on the page helps let the customer know right from the second they discover your page, you are willing to help.
Not all businesses implement live chat and not everyone needs to. However, having a Contact Us tab or a FAQ link viewable when first browsing a site is important.
The customer has only begun to consider your business, and they already feel important and appreciated. Which is hopefully how you want them to feel!
Immediate Engagement: In the digital age, the first interaction with a customer often happens online. Implementing features like a live chat option on your website or app can provide instant, personal engagement. It offers a mix of human interaction and digital convenience, making customers feel acknowledged without pressure.
Visibility of Contact Options: Even if live chat isn’t feasible, ensure easy access to contact information. A prominent ‘Contact Us’ tab or FAQ section can make a significant difference. This early display of willingness to assist can create a positive first impression and foster customer trust.
Follow Through
A customer is interested in your business. They hopefully want what you are selling. You have already answered most of their questions with a help option of some kind. If it is an item they are buying you need to make sure the entire process is seamless.
A person shouldn’t have to select purchase, enter in their card information, and then find out the item is out of stock or discontinued. Purchasing an item already decided upon shouldn’t take more than ten minutes.
For an online service such as design, app building, marketing, etc. alongside a website that shows your work and success; accessibility is key. For an optimum customer experience, you need to be accessible. Respond in a timely manner.
It’s infuriating to submit a question online but not receive a reply for three days, or worse an automated message that addresses zero concerns. After all someone is paying you for a service.
If you are a larger start up company and can’t keep up with all the communication, hiring a third party site, a part time assistant, or even an intern can help.
A customer who feels as if his needs are met during the process is more likely to use you for all their needs in the future. And as their business grows, so does your likelihood of good word of mouth from them to their colleagues, friends or family.
Seamless Transaction Process: Ensure that the purchasing or service enlistment process is smooth and transparent. Avoid situations where customers face surprises like out-of-stock notifications after payment. For services, particularly online ones like design or app development, responsiveness and accessibility are key.
Efficient Communication: Timely responses to inquiries or concerns are crucial. If your business scale makes personal attention challenging, consider hiring a third party, an assistant, or using automated yet personalized response systems to maintain engagement.
Recognize and Engage Feedback
It is reported that 88 percent of customers look at other reviews when deciding to buy an item or commit to a business. Of those over half will take some sort of positive action whether it is visiting the website or searching for further content.
Whatever social media your company utilizes; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc., it is important to acknowledge a customer or client’s recognition, either good or bad.
It takes an instant for someone to post a status or tweet an opinion about a company. It takes an instant for hundreds of people to see it. A business looks engaged and invested when they respond publicly to a compliment or complaint.
Alternatively, a poor response or none at all can tend to gain momentum, and can forever link your business with a poor opinion in a reader’s mind. Responding positively will be seen by others and place your brand in their mind for future choices.
It doesn’t hurt to remind the public of your business and likability. And often times it pays off with recognition and appreciation when businesses treat their clients as a priority. And let’s be honest, it feels good as a client to be endorsed by a company you’re working with.
Active Social Media Interaction: Engage with customer feedback on social media platforms. A quick, positive public response to both praise and criticism can enhance your brand’s image. It demonstrates that your business values customer input and is committed to improving experiences.
Managing Online Reputation: Actively managing your online reputation by responding to reviews and comments can significantly influence potential customers. Positive engagement can turn even neutral observers into future customers.
Customer Dissatisfaction
Problems will happen. Things will go wrong. The most important part of a small online business is personal engagement and creating loyalty.
Whether it is questions or complaints, to build a superior customer experience you need options. Some clients don’t have the time to call in for a simple question or issue.
Other clients might not feel comfortable typing all their concerns and questions online. The most important thing is a response, preferably an engaging response. A person shouldn’t have just one choice on how to reach a company.
Ideally, there should be a social media option, an email option, and/ or a direct phone contact option. Live chats and additional strategies are added bonuses. When someone is dissatisfied they often just want recognition, an explanation, or a product exchange or refund.
Providing a prompt and concerned response can settle a dispute and convince a customer they are valued and should keep their business with you.
Diverse Contact Options: Offer multiple channels for customer support – phone, email, social media, live chat. This diversity ensures that customers can reach out in a way that’s most convenient for them.
Prompt and Empathetic Responses: When issues arise, a prompt and understanding response can often defuse frustration. Ensure that your team is trained to handle complaints effectively, offering solutions, explanations, or compensations as needed.
Stay Innovative
As your customers grow and change, grow with them. Staying on top of their evolving needs is important. Once you’ve developed a client following and a method for attracting new business you are on the path to a successful future.
Having a loyal client base means you get to take the kinds of innovative and exciting initiatives for the direction you want your company to head.
Adapt to Changing Customer Needs: Keep an eye on evolving market trends and customer preferences. Adapting your strategies to meet these changes not only retains existing customers but also attracts new ones.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly seek feedback and use it to refine your customer service approach. Staying innovative in your service delivery can lead to a loyal customer base and open doors for new business opportunities.
By following these customer service tips, modern businesses can build stronger relationships with their customers, leading to increased loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and overall business growth.
Comparison of Customer Service Tips for Businesses
Strategy
Key Features
Best For
Live Chat Support
Instant communication, Personal interaction
Businesses with high online traffic
Social Media Engagement
Public interaction, Brand visibility
Businesses targeting younger demographics
Email Support
Detailed responses, Documentation
B2B and service-oriented businesses
Phone Support
Personal touch, Immediate resolution
Businesses with an older customer base
Automated Responses
Efficiency, 24/7 support
E-commerce and tech companies
Key Takeaways for Modern Customer Service
Personalization is Key: Tailoring responses and interactions to individual customer needs.
Speed Matters: Ensuring quick responses to customer inquiries and complaints.
Embrace Technology: Utilizing tools like live chat and social media for efficient communication.
Feedback is Crucial: Actively seeking and responding to customer feedback.
Continuous Innovation: Adapting to changing customer needs and preferences.
Exploring various ways to say thank you is not only a matter of good manners but also a strategy that fosters positive relationships and satisfaction. In the business context, where competition is fierce and customer loyalty is invaluable, expressing gratitude can make a significant difference.
Especially in times when gestures of appreciation are most impactful, recognizing individuals who contribute to a business’s success is crucial.
This article aims to provide a range of diverse and innovative ways to express thanks, tailored to different groups such as customers, clients, partners, suppliers, and all who have been integral to your business’s journey.
From personalized tokens of gratitude to public recognitions, these suggestions are designed to help you craft meaningful and memorable expressions of appreciation. Embracing such practices not only strengthens existing relationships but also helps in forging new ones.
By acknowledging the contributions of those involved in your business, you create an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation, fostering a positive brand image and encouraging ongoing support and collaboration.
Types of Ways to Say Thank You for Businesses
We’ve compiled a checklist table that categorizes different types of ways to way thank you, suitable for any business. This table will help you quickly identify which type of ‘thank you’ strategy aligns best with your business needs and resources.
Whether it’s a personal gesture, a public acknowledgment, or a promotional act, you can find the right way to show appreciation to your customers, clients, and partners.
Strategy Type
Examples
Personalized Gestures
Hand-written thank you cards, Calling clients for lunch, Birthday gifts or cards, Personalized thank you messages on social media
Public Acknowledgment
Publicly thanking customers on social media, Highlighting customers in a blog post, Hosting a community party or event, Promoting partners on your website
Promotional Acts
Offering free samples or discounts, Organizing contests or giveaways, Complimentary services like gift wrapping, Loyalty programs
Educational/Value-Adding
Free eBooks or webinars, Hosting educational seminars, Sharing useful articles or resources
Host a meet-and-greet event to offer customers the chance to get to know the people behind your business.
B2B businesses, send more business to your clients by giving them relevant referrals whenever possible.
When customers share suggestions, send them a personalized note letting them know how you implemented their feedback.
If you have customers who pay a regular monthly fee for your services, discount a small percentage off their fee for one month.
Send a gift card or discount code from one of your partner businesses to your customers.
Host an after hours event like a reading or an open mic night.
Promote your partners or business clients with a quick shout out on social media.
Create a section of your website specifically to showcase your partners and business clients. Highlight different clients on your main page every week.
Send out some branded gifts like t-shirts or tote bags with your company logo.
Offer complimentary coffee and other treats in your entryway or waiting area.
Reach out to customers on a regular basis just to make sure they’re satisfied with your products or services.
Highlight standout customers in a blog post or video on your website.
Share relevant articles or other resources from sources that aren’t your own with your customers on social media or via email.
Bloggers, offer free ad-space or sponsored posts to loyal readers who fit with your content.
Host educational seminars or online classes and invite your existing clients early.
Offer up your space for local groups or charity organizations when you’re not using it.
Sponsor local meetups or networking events to help your clients meet others in their industries.
When you launch a new product or service, publicly call for customers to help you name it. Give a prize or public shout out to the winner.
Create a video that says thank you to customers and shows them a behind the scenes look at your company.
Send individual thank you messages to customers who share your products or nice experiences about your business on social media.
Retailers, offer complimentary giftwrapping with purchases over the holidays.
Send a gift card or coffee via Starbucks’ mobile app to customers you can’t meet with for coffee in person.
Create a personalized eCard to send to your customers on holidays.
Plan a happy hour outing once a month and invite your clients, partners and employees out for an informal get together.
When a client mentions a unique hobby or interest, make a note of it and use that to pick out any future gifts, rather than just sending generic items.
Host a giveaway when you launch a new product or service, giving your best customers a chance to try it for free.
Be open and honest with your customers when your business goes through any changes, good or bad.
Local businesses, include a bulletin board in your location that customers and community members can use to share information about local causes and events.
Use your social media accounts to promote or highlight important local issues and keep community members informed.
Send a free gift, along with a thank you note, to customers along with their purchase.
Offer a loyalty program that gives customers a discount or incentive for repeat purchases.
Send cards to people on holidays other than the major ones, especially if you have clients who don’t celebrate things like Christmas.
Hold a flash sale, just for an hour or two, to give deep discounts to customers who are ready to buy – now.
Pick up the phone and call your clients just to check in and see if there’s anything you can help them with.
Say thank you in person. Every time a customer does business with you, say “thank you.”
Using the above creative ideas for ways to say thank you will not only demonstrate your appreciation but also deepen the connections with those who contribute to your business.
Implementing these strategies goes beyond mere transactional interactions; it fosters a culture of gratitude and acknowledgment. Remember, expressing thanks shouldn’t be an occasional gesture but a regular practice.
Regular expressions of gratitude help in building a positive and enduring relationship with clients, customers, partners, and suppliers. This consistent approach to showing appreciation reinforces your commitment to valuing the people who are integral to your business.
It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels recognized and valued for their contributions, which in turn can lead to increased loyalty, satisfaction, and even advocacy for your brand.
Integrating gratitude into your business ethos not only enhances your reputation but also contributes to a more positive and collaborative industry atmosphere.
Be sure to check out our gift giving guide for a slew of gift ideas as well!
Exploring ways to protect customer information is crucial for small businesses. Whenever a customer entrusts you with their private data for transactions or other services, it’s not just a transaction—it’s a commitment to their privacy and safety.
In today’s digital age, where data leaks can occur intentionally or accidentally, the liability falls on your business. Understanding and implementing robust data protection strategies is not just a legal obligation but a moral one too.
This guide will walk you through five essential ways to safeguard customer information, helping you maintain trust and fulfill your responsibilities as a small business owner
The Importance of Data Protection in Business
When your business fills out a loan application, or some other form that requires confidential information, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? Most business owners think something like, “I sure hope this doesn’t get into the wrong hands.”
Customer Trust and Data Security
Well, something similar is happening when customers transact with your business. When they pull out a credit card, write a check, provide their social security number, or give you their mailing address, they’re trusting that their confidential information will be safeguarded.
The Responsibility to Protect Customer Information
To say that you need to be better about protecting customer data and information is an understatement. You have a serious responsibility to protect it. In the digital age, where data breaches are increasingly common, customers are more aware and concerned about how their information is handled.
Businesses are not only responsible for their customers’ financial security but also for maintaining their trust and loyalty. This responsibility extends beyond mere compliance with regulations to encompass a commitment to ethical data management practices.
Data Protection as a Corporate Social Responsibility
Forrester Research security and risk analyst Heidi Shey goes as far as to say she believes data protection needs to be viewed as part of every corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy.
The Public’s Growing Concern Over Data Security
“This is really a topic that matters to customers today,” Shey assures businesses. “The public is way more opinionated about security, privacy, breach response, than they’ve ever been before, with all the news of breaches that they see — and especially when consumers start to experience one, two, maybe more breaches themselves, it becomes much more personal.
I don’t think people expect that companies can stop every single determined hacker, or some kind of malicious insider, but they really do expect that the companies they do business with to try to make it very, very hard.”
Appearance vs. Reality in Data Protection
Do you have a couple of hollow facades in place to make it look like you care about data protection, or are you actually prioritizing customer privacy in tangible ways? This question is crucial in today’s business environment, where the appearance of security often trumps actual safety measures.
It’s not enough to simply have superficial security protocols; businesses must invest in robust, effective data protection strategies that genuinely safeguard customer information.
The Imminent Need for Real Data Security Measures
Most are doing the former, but it’s only a matter of time before reality catches up. In an era where data breaches can not only lead to financial loss but also damage a company’s reputation, it’s critical for businesses to transition from appearances of security to implementing comprehensive, effective data protection measures.
This shift not only protects customers but also preserves the integrity and reputation of the business, ensuring long-term sustainability in a digital world where data security is paramount.
5 Ways to Protect Customer Information
The challenge of security in a world with advanced criminal cyber tactics is that you can’t just plug a few holes and hope for the best. You have to get serious about data integrity and implement an all-encompassing strategy that takes every possible risk into account.
While we can’t possibly touch on every single issue in this article, let’s take a look at some of the top things you can do to build a strong foundation and set your business up for success moving forward.
Key Strategies to Protect Customer Data:
Secure the Point of Sale: Implement EMV chip card technology for enhanced security during transactions.
Use a Dedicated Server: Shift to a dedicated server for increased protection from external threats.
Encrypt Data: Regularly update data encryption to safeguard information even in the event of a breach.
BYOD Policies: Establish clear guidelines for the use of personal devices to limit potential security risks.
Shred Sensitive Paper Documents: Properly dispose of physical documents containing sensitive customer information.
1. Secure the Point of Sale
As you’re well aware, the United States just recently (within the last 18 months) added its name to the list of developed nations that are actively moving away from magnetic strip cards and embracing EMV chip card technology. This technology enhances security surrounding point of sale transactions.
“As a result of these changes, there has been a recent increase in fraud related to magnetic strip cards; hackers want to hurry and make use of stolen data before it’s obsolete,” High Risk Pay explains in this blog post on the topic of credit card fraud trends.
“Experts believe this type of hacking will be most prevalent in the few years after countries change over from magnetic strip cards to chip-and-PIN varieties.”
Whether you accept card present or card not present transactions, you have to put your best foot forward in terms of securing the point of sale. This is a hacker’s preferred point of entry and it makes their job a lot easier if they can tamper with your system on the front end.
2. Use a Dedicated Server
One of the single biggest mistakes small businesses make is using a shared server to host their files. It makes sense why shared servers are chosen – they’re cheap and convenient – but when you look at the potential consequences, it becomes clear that the upfront savings aren’t worth the long-term risks.
Even if you need to cut costs in other areas to make it happen, it’s critically important that you switch your business over to a dedicated server. When you use a dedicated server, you no longer have to run your websites, programs, and scripts on the same machine as other companies and individuals.
This means you instantly increase your security and don’t have to deal with the risk of being hacked by an outside party within your own server.
3. Encrypt Data
The dangerous thing about harping on the same topic over and over again is that people start to take it less seriously. They become desensitized to the relevancy of the issue at hand.
That being said, don’t plug your ears just because we’re going to discuss data encryption for a moment. You’ve probably heard it all before, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
Few things are as important as data encryption in today’s cyber security field. While it’s best to prevent hackers from gaining access to your systems in the first place, encryption technology essentially renders your data useless, should it wind up in the wrong hands.
Be sure to set up a regular schedule to update your data encryption so that you’re always using the most advanced technology.
4. Crack Down on BYOD Policies
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding BYOD policies. Some companies are all for them, citing benefits like lower IT costs and higher employee satisfaction. Other companies are adamantly against them because of the increased risk.
But regardless of which stance your business takes, a day is coming when BYOD will be the norm and just about every organization (outside of top-secret government agencies and a few other outliers) will have its own BYOD policy in place.
The biggest problem with the average BYOD policy is that it increases the number of potential entry points a hacker has into a business.
According to one study, roughly 22 percent of companies have employees who keep company data on their personal smartphones. That’s a big deal and your company must crack down on what information can be stored on personal devices if you want BYOD to be an asset.
5. Shred Sensitive Paper Documents
It’s not all about setting up a virtual fence around your company. Criminals and hackers still use traditional methods of accessing confidential customer data, which is why you have to get serious about how you handle paper documents and files – especially at disposal.
According to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) Disposal Rule, companies that possess customer information for business purposes have a responsibility to properly dispose of the information.
Put simply, you can’t just toss files into the trashcan and roll it out to the curb for weekly garbage pickup. You have to shred, burn, or otherwise destroy all sensitive information.
Data Protection Methods for Small Businesses
Method
Description
Effectiveness
Suitability for Small Business
EMV Chip Card Technology
Enhances security at the point of sale by using chip technology instead of magnetic strips.
High
Essential for businesses accepting in-person card payments.
Dedicated Server
Uses a single server for hosting, reducing the risk of shared vulnerabilities.
High
Recommended for businesses with significant online data and transactions.
Data Encryption
Encrypts data making it unreadable to unauthorized users.
High
Crucial for all businesses handling sensitive digital information.
BYOD Policy Management
Sets rules for employees using personal devices for work purposes.
Moderate
Varies depending on the extent of BYOD usage in the business.
Physical Document Destruction
Shreds or burns sensitive paper documents to prevent data theft.
Moderate
Important for businesses that handle a lot of sensitive paper documents.
What Are You Doing to Protect Customers?
How would you grade your current data protection and information security efforts? If you’re like the average small business, you talk a good talk but walk a pretty poor walk.
You want customers to think you prioritize their privacy, but when it comes down to it, you aren’t taking concrete steps towards actually safeguarding confidential information.
Protecting customer data and information is by no means an easy responsibility – especially if you do it the right way – but it’s necessary in our current cyber landscape.
That leaves you with two questions as you move forward: What are you doing to protect your customers’ information? And is it enough?
