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LeslieBarber
Level 6

Shifting Your Business Into the Future of Commerce

MayEditorial_bizshifts.jpg

 

Was there life before smartphones? Mine certainly wasn’t as flexible. Smartphones have brought many of us the freedom we wanted to be able to attend to life and our business -- whenever and wherever.

 

In fact, the entire way we do business has changed so much in the last decade. And it’s only speeding up. Car phones, faxing, phone book ads and catalog shopping have all been left in innovation’s dust, while entire industries such as hospitality, retail, entertainment and publishing have been disrupted by better, faster and stronger technologies. What did I do before Instacart?

 

This May, in QB Community, we’ll be exploring these “Business Shifts” and what they mean for you, the small business owner. Expect great discussions on shifting from analog to digital, paper to cloud, brick-and-mortar to ecommerce, cash to smartpay, “real’ people to bots, even dining out to delivery.

 

Here are three big changes that can impact you as the future of commerce continues to grow. First, the way that consumers want to shop is changing -- and it’s not all online like you may think. Secondly, customer expectations are sky-high when it comes to instant availability and fast shipping. And third, with technology providing easy access to so many different businesses, customer loyalties can easily shift if they aren’t being provided the experience they desire.

 

Shift #1: Customers want to shop online and in-store

 

By 2019, it’s predicted that at least 45% of an organization’s revenue will be tied to their current (as in, now) digital transformation. What’s that mean for you? Well, it means that upgrading today will pay off tomorrow as consumers become more accustomed to shopping by voice, paying with their smartphones, receiving customized products (think personally tailored jeans) and “showrooming” -- checking out a product in-store first before finding the best deal online.

 

Yes, shoppers still frequent the brick-and-mortar shops. In fact, 87% of shoppers say they’ve visited a retail store in the past month, but they’re not just randomly browsing when they get there -- the majority have already researched online what they plan to buy.

 

Shift #2: Customers want it here (and there) and they want it now

 

With a giant selection of products available at our fingertips, often the decision of where to purchase comes down to how fast a retailer can get it to you -- either through lightning-fast shipping or in-store pickup. Today’s shoppers demand a seamless shopping experience no matter the channel, transitioning from smartphone to laptop to brick-and-mortar without effort.

 

No matter the generation, Baby Boomer, Gen X or Millennial, almost 90% say that having real-time access to the products they want influences where they shop. That means integrating store and online inventories, providing assistance 24/7, maintaining an updated database and keeping all lines of communication easy and open.

 

Shift #3: So many options means shifting customer loyalty

 

If there’s a downside to the future of commerce it’s that loyalties are easier to shift. 70% of shoppers say that the increase in digital access to businesses makes it easier for them to go elsewhere when their needs aren’t being met. So while transforming your business digitally both internally and client-facing is keeping up with the times, don’t forgo excellent and personal customer service.

 

When it comes to customer experience, 98% of online shoppers said they prefer interacting with a human rather than a bot, yet only 62% could tell if they were actually having an exchange with a real person or with a bot. Technology is getting smarter, but it won’t replace the human passion you bring to your business -- that’s something customers will never mistake.

 

The good news for small business owners and the self-employed is that, well, you’re small, and this means you’re nimble and can adapt more rapidly to a new digital business age. Take advantage of the cost- and time-saving tools while maintaining the humanity. It’s all about finding the right balance as you shift.

 

Warmly,

 

Leslie

4 Comments 4
ShanaNiederman
Level 6

Shifting Your Business Into the Future of Commerce

This is fascinating. It feels like things are changing so quickly everywhere at the moment, and you've captured how some of those are taking place with business.

EmilyCowan
Level 7

Shifting Your Business Into the Future of Commerce

@cruberti we were just talking about this :smileyhappy: Would love to hear more about what you're seeing in terms of changing customer behavior!

cruberti
Level 3

Shifting Your Business Into the Future of Commerce

I think everything Leslie said is totally true. I still haven't launched my product yet, so I think I'll learn more about these things as I progress. But one thing I think is true - people still value human connection which can help to keep them loyal. I love shopping at Sephora because their customer service is incredible. I've kept a strong client base at my day job because I put a strong focus on engagement and check-ins with clients. I'm not sure how I'll scale this type of engagement with my product-based business, but I'm already finding that people want to be a part of your story, they want to connect, and they want to engage. Instagram is a great platform for that. I have also seen unhappy customers use this as their place to air grievances, but on the flipside, it gives businesses an opportunity to rectify a bad situation quickly.

EmilyCowan
Level 7

Shifting Your Business Into the Future of Commerce

@cruberti, you bring up such a great point about our basic desire for connection. For thousands of years storytelling has been the way we humans have created and reinforced social bonds, and now social media has made it easier for us to share our stories far and wide.  Instagram, Facebook, crowdfunding - all opportunities to invite customers to be a part of your business story.

 

And I love that you also look at social media as a platform for engaging with disappointed or unhappy customers. That really speaks to your authenticity as a business owner and a brand.

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