6 ways to improve your tech skills

Technology is a vital part of running a business, but it changes so quickly that it can be hard to keep up with the changes. Keeping up with recent tech innovations, and learning how to incorporate them into your business, will help to make your business much more competitive.

But how can you improve your tech skills without getting yourself a degree in computer science? It’s easier than you might think. By putting aside a little time and effort, you can learn how to make tech work for you.

Follow the simple guide below, which comes courtesy of Syntax IT Support Specialists Syntax, to easily improve your tech skills.

Make time for research

Running a business is a full-time job, and the last thing you want to do during your time off is research IT. But it’s worth the effort. An hour on a Sunday evening looking up tech stories, a lunch break reading the ‘Tech’ section of the newspaper, or half an hour reading articles over breakfast will help to keep you informed of all the latest industry developments, and get you thinking about how you can use them to expand and enhance your business.

Use social media as a learning tool

Almost everyone has at least one social media account, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. In fact, most of us are addicted to scrolling through our timelines whenever we have a spare second. So why not use social media as a tool to keep yourself informed?

Curate your existing profiles by following people and companies who post tech-related stories and information. Many of them communicate their knowledge in an informal and accessible tone in order to gain more followers. Or you could create a whole new profile dedicated solely to technology, thereby keeping your IT blog posts and pet pictures separate.

Outsource your IT

If all this talk of tech research is giving you a boredom-induced migraine, there is a solution: get someone else to do it for you!

The best IT support often comes from outsourcing your tech requirements. When it comes to IT outsourcing, UK companies have access to a huge marketplace of experienced experts who will keep your network safe, your software updated, and your tech in top condition.

Whilst handling all your IT yourself can be a never-ending chore, and hiring and training an in-house team is expensive, time-consuming, and not guaranteed to give you the best results, outsourcing your IT support puts your tech in the hands of professionals whose only job is to look after your tech. They will use their expert knowledge to keep you updated of any industry developments that might benefit you, and instead of a fixed salary, you only pay as and when you require their services.

Make apps your default

Technology should make your life more efficient, giving you more time to run your core business and enjoy your time off. By incorporating tech into your day-to-day life – ordering taxis and doing your banking through apps; linking your social media profiles up so you only have to post once across all platforms– you will give yourself a better idea of the positive power of technology.

Analyse what you consume

You’re a business owner, but the best business owners know how to put themselves in the customer’s shoes. When using technology, think about what you want from it, and whether a particular app or device delivers. Is it easy to use? Is the design suitable? What do you wish it could do that it doesn’t already?

Keep your musings handy, so you can refer to them when designing your business’s website and social media profiles.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

Very few things are permanent when it comes to technology; if you make a mistake, you can always edit it, which means you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment.

Watch online tutorials on how to create a website and then give it a try yourself; put out adverts using Google Adwords; create and edit videos about your business for YouTube.

Technology isn’t a hurdle to overcome; it’s a tool that should make your business life easier, so grab it with both hands and watch your business flourish as a result.