(This article originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1- You shouldn’t install the latest Windows 11 update…Yet
The new Microsoft update KB5010414 has become available to download for Windows 10 and 11 users. This new update was intended to resolve the bug that shows inaccurate tooltips when hovering over the taskbar. However, and according to Techradar, users have been complaining about problems caused by the new update such as overheating and printing issues. This new download is available only to members of the Windows Insider Program, so immediate downloads won’t occur for users. Microsoft is currently working on resolving the issue. (Source: Techradar)
Why this is important for your business:
The good news is that this update was only for people that signed up for the Windows Insider Program and not yet made available to the general public. But rest assured Microsoft will fix these problems and my strong recommendation is to always install the latest updates as soon as they’re made available to the general public. Yes, there may sometimes be an issue but thanks to the cloud any significant problems can be fixed. More importantly keeping your operating system updated is one of the best ways to avoid potential security issues.
2-Asana Flow provides connected workflows for effortless cross-team coordination.
Asana Inc. announced their new work management platform Asana Flow. To combat remote work environments, Asana Flow helps manage start to finish workflows with employees working from their homes. Asana Flow’s template library includes access to apps such as AppLovin, ClassPass and Stride. They are in the process of collaborating with other workflow apps such as Miro, Jotform, and Google Drive. Asana Flow can also track work progress and includes how to optimize productivity. (Source: Business Wire)
Why this is important for your business:
Asana is a powerful project management application that’s used by many of my clients. If you’re an Asana user, you should ask for a full demonstration of the capabilities of Asana Flow from the company and integrate it into your other workflow applications too.
3-TikTok and Instagram could prove to be beneficial in growing a small business customer base.
TikTok and Instagram have become key platforms for small businesses to market towards new audiences. According to TikTok, the best way to attract audiences on the app is to use a combination of original content, paid advertisements, and partnerships with creators in order to advertise engaging content. Both platforms use business analytics so you can track how well your content is doing with audiences. (Source: Repairer Driven News)
Why this is important for your business:
I found this story interesting not just because it was about how TikTok — and other social platforms — can help small businesses grow their companies but because of where the story was found. Repairer Driven News is a Michigan based organization that was founded and curated by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and says it’s the “leading source of news and information that matters to the collision repairer.” In other words, you don’t have to be Kim Kardashian or an influencer to benefit from TikTok and other platforms like it. Your business can be a collision and repair shop too. If you’ve got a visual story to tell — and honestly I bet there are some crazy stories coming through a typical auto collision business — then these platforms may be a great place attract interest.
4-Apparently, people do use Bing.
Tech website The Verge asked listeners of its flagship podcast if they preferred using Bing –Microsoft’s search engine –to Google. Many reached out describing their stories of why Bing was their go-to search engine. Some detailed that Bing was a faster and more reliable search engine, but the real pull to the Microsoft run platform was the rewards. Microsoft rewards users for using Bing in exchange for gift cards to Starbucks and Amazon as well as points on gaming subscriptions for XBOX. (Source: The Verge)
Why this is important for your business:
Who knew, right? By the way, besides Bing people also do lots of searching on YouTube and Amazon. The takeaway is that your digital advertise dollars don’t necessarily always have to go to Google. Find out where your audience is and focus your resources there.
5 -Conversational AI is the talk of the town as call centers adapt to new realities.
Artificial Intelligence company NLX has created a conversational AI to help relieve customer service workers and customers. The AI was first introduced through American Express Customer Service and is said to partnered with Amazon. They intend to focus on the travel and hospitality industries to help them bounce back after the pandemic. NLX’s AI is different from others, because the digital assistant stays on the call even after the problem has been resolved then follows what the customer is seeing to make sure they are taking the right steps. The AI also uses human phrases to create a better form of communication with the customer. (Source: PYMNTS)
Why this is important for your business:
Another example of the impact AI is having on businesses — across all industries. Talk to your software vendor about the type of automation tools they’re providing, or working on, for your business.
