Lighthouse Consulting Group

There is no doubt that technology plays a significant role in the success or failure of corporate America. Thankfully, much of the technology available today is also available to small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. Some — like communication tools, website development, customer management software, and social media — can even help increase proficiency and profits.

Communication Tools

Lighthouse Consulting Group has had to shift how it does business in light of the pandemic. One thing it routinely recommends now for businesses trying to maintain an open line of communication with clients and customers is software, such as Zoom and GoToMeeting. Both of these video meeting programs are affordable and run well with most operating systems. Zoom, for example, is just $149 per year for teams of up to 100 people. In addition to video software, many businesses find that using instant messaging apps, like the free version of Slack, minimizes disruptions when individual team members need to communicate but a phone call would be too intrusive.

Website Development

In today’s digital climax, the accessibility of your company online is paramount to capturing your share of the market. If you don’t already have a website or your web presence is lacking, look for an individual with experience that can offer WordPress development services to take your website to the next level. WordPress is not only free but is also fully scalable and customizable. Your WordPress developer can build you a comprehensive e-commerce site, which makes it easier for customers to shop and spend money. Before you hire a freelance developer, take into account their most recent reviews/referrals and ask about both cost and estimated turnaround time from project acceptance to site publication.

Customer Management

SuperOffice very clearly underscores the importance of customers by citing that, “no business exists without its customer base.” This sentiment holds true for businesses in every industry and at every level; thus, investing in customer relationship management systems is a smart choice for businesses hoping to acquire more and retain their current customers. Customer relationship management can help you maintain your contacts and show your employees how much or how little interaction they’ve had with each client. It can help you schedule reminders and serve as a central database for your entire customer list.

Social Media

Most of us spend a great deal of time on social media, and we often forget that this form of technology was not readily available until 1997 when the first social media site, SixDegrees.com, was founded. Now, personal and professional online networking is just a part of our everyday existence. Because of this, businesses should stay on top of their social media presence by engaging with their customers on every platform available. And considering that many small businesses still aren’t leveraging the power of social sites, like Facebook and Instagram, engaging on social media is an excellent opportunity to scoop up potential customers looking for your products or services. Before you start making profiles, ensure that you have a unified brand and that you designate one person or group of people as your social media representatives.

There are literally endless bits of technology popping up every day. But those listed above are readily available, inexpensive, and invaluable. From using videoconferencing to communicate with your clients to harnessing the power of social media to interact with customers, the technology you use now will impact your bottom line. So put on your digital thinking cap, and don’t be afraid to push your company into the 21st century.

Lighthouse Consulting Group can help you take your face-to-face event to the next level. Reach out to see how your business can benefit. 401-247-0313

During these unpredictable times, Lighthouse has had to re-imagine how to maximize communication for the associations we manage and industry members they represent. No longer having the option to hold face-to-face conferences, shows, meetings, and training courses, created a gap in our communications and networking business strategies. Like other businesses, Lighthouse had to adapt. We prioritized COVID-19 relevant content, increased our information output, made our content free and accessible to all, and explored and utilized new channels in which we communicate.   Here is an article outlining “5 Content Marketing Action Items During a Pandemic” that we found helpful as we navigate today’s landscape. 

All of us have been impacted by the current global pandemic. Almost all of us have been affected by a changed work environment and shifting expectations. Many of us are coping with unconventional meeting formats, or are managing an entirely remote team for the first time.

Lighthouse Consulting Group can help. We can help you transition your planned face-to-face meetings with active and engaging virtual events. We have the tools in place to facilitate your discussions with clients, team members, and stakeholders and we can write up the results for you. We have the existing platforms, with brainstorming and editing tools, and we’d like to make those platforms available to you. Give us a call so we can discuss affordable options for you and your team.

If you have questions or would like to talk about how we can help you transition your events online, give us a call at 401-682-7026.

Wishing you all the best,

Mark Amaral

President & CEO