Did you know that 90 per cent of New Zealanders will have their own smartphone by 2018? Research from McKinsey & Company suggested that the penetration of mobile devices is rapidly expanding on these shores, with more consumers than ever delving into their pockets or backpacks to engage with businesses, rather than flick on the laptop or PC.
Consequently, companies of all sizes need to be doing what they can to meet the needs of customers in this space, and keep an eye on how mobile can potentially provide extra revenue streams.
Minimising the disconnect
So, why should small business owners take mobile seriously? Well, smartphones, tablets etc can close off some of the disconnect between consumers and the enterprise, especially within Kiwi companies that operate overseas.
"The big issue when you run a business out of New Zealand, particularly if you're an export business, is the disconnection you have between a lot of things that are going on in the rest of the world," explained Facebook's New Zealand-born chief creative officer Mark D'Arcy, as quoted by the NZ Herald.
"I really think the mobile shift is in some ways a bigger thing than the internet itself," Mr D'Arcy continued.
Where to start
Where should small business owners attempt to enter the mobile space? Well, Forbes contributor Melanie Haselmayr surmised that creating an app is a solid starting point. While it may sound complex, even the most basic mobile app can help small business owners make their operation more visible, create a direct marketing channel and provide more value to their customers.
While your small business may be keen on pursuing endeavours across the mobile space, it's important to budget correctly for any such projects. To that end, using small business software such as CashManager from Accomplish can help you keep a handle on company finances, and work out the return on investment that a mobile app delivers once it's up and running.