For women entrepreneurs, it’s not just about working harder or better than the competition. It's about utilizing technology and tools that can help you work more effectively and efficiently. New technology in the digital world can empower you to build your business, no matter the industry. For business owners, knowing what type of technology to use can be a challenge, though. Where should you get started?
Below are some of the options in new technology for the digital world for women entrepreneurs.
Project Management Technology for Entrepreneurs
Juggling numerous tasks, assignments, and projects is a good sign. It means your business is working and potentially growing. Yet, dropping the ball, perhaps due to a late assignment or a missed call, can tarnish your brand among current and potential clients. Project management tools can help with this by providing a digital way to always stay on top of your business.
Numerous project management tools are available, including some customized for specific industries or types of projects. Here are the top three options in both up-and-coming and proven project management systems.
#1: Monday.com
Monday.com is an expandable project management tool with plenty of flexibility for customization. Project data, along with various reports and visualization tools, enables easy management of multi-step projects. It offers:
• An easy-to-use interface
• Plenty of configuration options to meet your business methods
• Lots of marketing and CRM integrations
#2: Trello
Trello uses Kanban boards that tend to work well for highly visual people. It’s easy to learn and customizable for most businesses. Trello does a great job with its numerous template options, too. Some key features include:
• A free plan that provides up to 250 automated comments each month
• Lots of integrations, including Slack and Google Drive
• Quick set-up with drag-and-drop design
#3: ClickUp
For startups looking for a cost-effective solution, ClickUp is an excellent choice. It provides numerous collaborative documents, whiteboard tools, and in-app chat features. It also can integrate with Dropbox, G Suite, Slack, and much more. You might choose ClickUp because of it:
• Works well for different-sized teams
• Makes workflow customization simple and effective
• Lets you track and visualize project data
Accounting Technology for the Digital World
Accounting management is often a difficult part of managing new businesses. For women entrepreneurs who want to stay on top of their financials, there are some excellent technology options out there to support your success. Here are three proven and up-and-coming options.
#1: FreshBooks
For the most affordable business accounting software, consider FreshBooks. It provides a wide range of tools, including customizations to fit the way your business operates. Some key features include:
• Comprehensive cloud-based accounting solutions
• Excellent cash management tools
• Easy-to-use visual dashboards for “seeing” where your money is going
#2: Sage
A newer option, Sage is an excellent choice for small businesses that want to enhance their automation. It provides full business application and enterprise resource planning resources in one. In new technology in accounting, hyper-automation is key, and Sage does it well. Key features include:
• Automatic reconciliation tools, finance tracking, and cash flow forecasting
• Straightforward purchase invoice management
• Cloud-based functionality with real-time banking integration
#3: Wave Accounting
Another newer company, Wave Accounting, is an excellent free tool with the ability to add payroll processing and payment solutions. It’s excellent for small businesses that want fast and efficient functionality without a lot of slowdowns. Key features include:
• Recurring billing with automation
• Unlimited partners and collaborator additions possible
• A fully cloud-based dashboard
Digital Media Management Tools for Startups
Today's business owners have a significant amount of digital media to manage. Connecting with customers online, managing visuals, and creating engaging marketing platforms require some of the best modern technology. For your business, consider these specific digital media management platforms streamlining business efforts.
#1: Brandfolder
Brandfolder makes managing digital assets easy, helping you grow your business in a more streamlined manner. This digital asset management platform can help your business build your brand quickly and across all platforms with features such as:
• Cloud-based storage to handle all forms of digital assets
• Automatic asset tagging and organization
• Analytics about who uses content and how
#2: Buffer
For social media management, Buffer offers a streamlined, affordable solution that can benefit most of today’s businesses, including those looking to rebrand. It provides ample support to get users started, and the tools are innovative and even some of the most cutting-edge. Key features include:
• A full suite of features for engagement, publishing, landing pages, and posts
• Excellent customer support to help clients stay up-to-date on the newest innovations
• Analytical tools that provide insight into how any solution works
#3: Sprout Social
Sprout Social is a blend of customer relationship management and social media management, a unique combination of two essential tools for the digital world. It’s simple to learn but often upgraded to incorporate new tools and solutions. Some core benefits include:
• Scalability that enhances growth opportunities
• Post monitoring and scheduling
• Analytic tools that provide insight into the best campaigns
Build Your Business with Confidence
These new technologies for the digital world allow businesses to take their business online, connect with new customers, and deliver efficiencies, including in financial management. From proven to newer solutions, these companies do it best because they offer the latest innovations in the industry that all women entrepreneurs can benefit from for most types of businesses.
Author: Krista Murphy, MLZ Creative
