Can you imagine running a business without a mobile phone? Certainly not. Yet, there was a time when businesses operated without the electronic device known as the mobile phone! The advent of mobile technology brought about a magical change in communication systems, making mobile phones indispensable for business operations. Then came the smartphone. Nowadays, running any business without a smartphone is almost impossible! Whether your business is small or large, understanding how to leverage digital technology is crucial to staying competitive.Today, we'll discuss whether it’s possible to manage a grocery store business without accounting software and how to start using accounting software in your grocery store.
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Adapting to Digital Technology in the Grocery Business
In the journey of digital technology, we are compelled to take leaps every day. Once upon a time, only large businesses used technology. But now, alongside big businesses, the use of digital technology is prevalent in small or micro businesses. Because the world is now a global village! And in this global village, information and communication technology are accessible to everyone.
A grocery shop isn't necessarily outside this global village, is it? It could be located in a back alley of a neighborhood in the city, or perhaps in a makeshift market in a remote village. In these places, not much seems to happen! Because now, all of us reside in a single social structure of information and communication technology. Now, someone from a country thousands of miles away can manage a small business in Bangladesh!
Imagine you have a small or medium-sized business, perhaps a grocery shop or a grocery store. Let's take a look at how the use of technology could benefit your business:
The software for managing business accounts in a grocery shop
You use your mobile phone to communicate with your customers and suppliers for your business. You save their contact numbers on your mobile. Occasionally, you use the calculator on your mobile to do purchase and sales calculations. You can also save business accounts in documents and Excel files on your computer or laptop.
Although the usage of computers among grocery shops or small businesses in Bangladesh is very low, we can consider these types of technology usage as our basic or fundamental use. So, we can also consider the use of accounting software for keeping business accounts in grocery shops as our basic or fundamental use of technology.
The use of technology in the second phase of the grocery shop
Now you're communicating with your customers and suppliers regarding their outstanding balances and transactions. Some of them come to your shop to settle their dues, while others take their owed items. This task may require you to go to them as well.
However, a significant portion of your grocery shop's transactions won't happen in person. You'll need to conduct transactions with them through mobile or online means. In this case, you'll need to take advantage of mobile banking technology. It means you can communicate and complete transactions using your mobile phone. We can consider this as another step towards the use of technology.
The use of technology in the third phase of the grocery shop
Now, you want to make all your business transactions even easier and conduct them from the comfort of your home.
- Mobile Banking: In this phase, you need to move on to mobile banking technology! It means you'll have to use apps from one or more banks and mobile financial services (MFS). Through these, you can complete all your transactions from home. Nowadays, almost every bank advises using separate apps for their customers.Moreover, most mobile financial services (MFS) companies in the country have established themselves as financial technology (FinTech) companies. Their apps will provide convenience naturally!
- Accounting Software or Accounting Tools: Alongside, now you can find good quality software for maintaining accounts of any type of transaction. These business accounting software are becoming globally integrated and the success of using apps has been tested. Depending on the type and size of your business, you can find a good software to maintain your business accounts. Even in Bangladesh, there are now good quality accounting software available in both Bengali and English languages. For example - HishabPati.
The involvement of such digital technologies in your small business takes it to a larger platform. So, we can place the use of all these financial technologies or business accounting software in the third phase.
The current maximum utilization of technology in the grocery shop
The current maximum utilization of technology in the grocery shop.
Now you think it's necessary to expand the scope of your grocery shop's business. With that goal in mind, you can make some new decisions:
- Adding New Customers: You need to bring some more new families to your grocery shop's customer list from your area.
- Adding New Services: By adding new services to your grocery shop, you can attract more customers. For example - home delivery, online payment, etc.
- Adding New Products: Starting to stock new products that fulfill new demands will attract more customers. For example - adding a photocopy machine, stationery products, mobile financial services or MFS, various bill payment services, etc.
- Starting Online Business: You already have a physical shop for your grocery shop. Now you want to start a business online as well. For that, you need to take various steps for a virtual shop. For example - creating a website, creating a business page for Facebook and other popular social media, digital marketing, and social media marketing, etc.
- Moving Forward with Information Technology: Even after that, the development of digital technology doesn't stop. The technology to automate various business services is astonishing us every day, and it will continue to do so in the future. It's an ongoing process!
So, we can say,
This is not just about expanding business, it's about staying competitive!
Now, let's carefully consider whether any of the first three steps can be excluded from consideration at present. Absolutely not, none of them can be omitted in any way! So, only one step remains, which is 'the current maximum utilization of technology.' In this step, the technologies or techniques you are currently using in your business will help you expand your business scope even further. Therefore, it's vital to ensure that the digital technologies you're using are aiding your business growth.
So, the calculation is straightforward! Even if you don't want to expand your business scope, you still need to ensure the use of digital technology like business accounting software. Because using technology in the first three steps is necessary for you to stay competitive! Falling behind in business is no longer an option! Who doesn't know that?
The use of a specific technology, such as using accounting software in the grocery shop, will boost your business's speed or increase profitability. This aspect is no longer restricted; now, if you want to stay competitive, you must ensure the use of digital technology.
You can start using digital technology from which step?
Here, there's something to ponder, but the matter isn't difficult. Think about it carefully:
- In the first step, you already have the basic usage of the necessary digital tools or technologies within reach. For instance, communication via mobile or smartphone, data storage on computers or laptops, etc. So, you've already completed the first step.
- Now, let's move on to the second step. You're accustomed to using the financial technologies required in this step. For example, conducting transactions through mobile banking. Therefore, it can be said that you're already here in this step as well.
- Now, the third step, what digital tools or technologies are you using in this step? Are you enjoying full convenience by using various financial services apps? Are you using software or apps to manage the accounts in your grocery shop?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then you can move on to the next step. That means you can move towards expanding the scope of your business. And if the answer to any one of them is no, then you need to start from this step. That is, we can start using software for managing accounts in a grocery shop from the third step onwards. In many cases, small business owners have to start from this step.
Start using technology by maintaining business accounts with software
Using accounting software that provides various financial services will make your business management even more efficient. If you want to grow your business using current technology, having reliable accounting software at your fingertips is essential. It will ensure proper management of business accounts.
So, without delay, choose a suitable accounting software for your grocery store. Choose one that provides the best solution for your grocery business. Therefore, the first step for everyone is to select good accounting software.
What factors will you consider when choosing accounting software for your business?
- Can the app be used in both mobile and web versions?
- Can all tasks be completed in the mobile app?
- It's crucial for the software for business accounting to have an easy method of operation and language accessible to general users. It should support both Bengali and English languages. It's preferable that using the accounting software doesn't require separate training!
- Is the platform taking full responsibility for data security?
- Most importantly, is the accounting software specially tailored for small businesses like your grocery store?
- Does the subscription fee of the accounting software fit your budget?
- I would like to suggest a comprehensive accounting software for your business. It could be useful for you. For managing the accounts of a grocery store, accounting software options includeHishabPati use this one. This appCan be downloaded free and its subscription free is at your reach.
Move forward with technology, don't stay behind
So, no more holding back! Start using digital technology like a software for managing your grocery store's accounts from any step, and take your business forward with current technology. This way, you'll stay competitive while also expanding your business!
And that's the magic of digital technology! It never stops, always propelling you forward with each step or initiative. It will always remain current, what we call in English - ‘Never Ending Process!’