Five trends businesses need to know for 2024

The way we do business is changing. That’s the takeaway from the last three to four years of upheaval in the business world, and it’s a trend that will continue through 2024.

For small businesses that want to give themselves the best chance of success, adapting to these changes and staying ahead of the curve is crucial. But what does that look like. Here are five businesses trends that you need to look out for in 2024.

1. Cloud-first infrastructure

The cloud has become an indispensable tool for businesses of all sizes, providing access to vast amounts of computing resources, applications, and data storage. As businesses rely increasingly on cloud-based solutions, a reliable connection becomes crucial.

There are plenty of reliable connections out there, not least full fibre, which offers a convenient route to fast, dependable business broadband. But for cloud-first businesses, the ultimate option is a Leased Line connection, not leased because of the 99.9% availability SLAs and – crucially for cloud computing – the symmetrical bandwidth which offers upload speeds as fast as your download speeds (vitally important when you’re accessing data in, and backing up files to, the cloud).

Considering the future of your business connectivity now is even more important as the 2025 PSTN (public switched telephone network) switch-off approaches. Businesses that haven’t yet transitioned to IP-based services will need to do so in order to continue using voice and data services. Of course, we can help you assess your needs and recommend the best solution for you to ensure a smooth transition. Get in touch if you need to discuss this.

2. Embracing digital transformation

Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword. It’s a necessity for businesses to thrive in the digital age. Digital transformation is just a shortened way of describing leveraging technology to enhance business processes, improve customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. Key technologies driving digital transformation include artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Businesses should assess their digital readiness and identify opportunities to integrate these technologies. The PSTN switch off can also be seen as an opportunity to embrace digital transformation. By switching to IP-based services like CloudComms for example, businesses can access a wider range of cloud-based communication and collaboration tools.

3. Adapting to remote and hybrid work

You don’t need reminding that 2020’s events accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid working, and these changes are likely to remain throughout 2024. Businesses need to adapt to these new work models by providing employees with secure and reliable remote access to company resources, which in turn can help promote a collaborative work environment and ensure effective communication.

As businesses adapt to remote and hybrid work, they need to ensure that their people are equipped to work effectively from anywhere.

4. Prioritising cyber security

Cyber security remains a top concern for businesses of all sizes, as cyber attacks become increasingly sophisticated and frequent. In the Government’s 2023 cyber security breaches survey, 32 per cent of small businesses reported a cyber security breach or threat in the last year.

In 2024, businesses will prioritise cyber security measures to protect sensitive data, safeguard their networks, and maintain customer trust. Key cyber security measures for small businesses include multi-factor authentication, encryption, regular security audits, and staff training. To find out how Zen can help, visit our site here.

5. Enhancing customer experience

In today’s competitive marketplace, customer experience (CX) has become an important way for businesses to differentiate themselves. Businesses that prioritise CX and deliver exceptional customer experiences are more likely to attract and retain customers and drive business growth.

Some of the things that businesses will be doing to improve customer experience in 2024 include:

• Being responsive and proactive – responding to customers quickly and efficiently, and even anticipating their needs before they ask.
• Personalising their experience – using customer data to provide personalised interactions, like product recommendations or tailored marketing messages.
• Going omnichannel – offering seamless support across multiple channels, such as phone, email, social media and chat.
• Acting on feedback – regularly collecting feedback from customers to improve products, services and processes.

How will you respond to these trends?

As we begin 2024, small businesses have the perfect opportunity to position themselves for success in the years to come. And you don’t need to do this alone. At Zen, we’re committed to providing you with the connectivity, support and solutions you need to thrive in the digital age.

Whatever your needs – from cloud to improved connectivity, security, or modern voice solutions – we’re here to help you build for 2024 and beyond.