Digital channels: discover six technology trends to boost business

How much do people use technology in their daily lives?

We know that quantifying this answer is impossible, since the population as a whole is highly accustomed to using technological resources in their favour, in actions ranging from making a purchase to self-service. Faced with new market resolutions and changes in behavioural habits, it is up to companies to be attentive to the emergence of new trends and use them in favour of their growth.

In the current context of digital transformation, agility and speed are essential requirements to ensure business survival in the face of new challenges. This is clear from the popularity that Artificial Intelligence has gained - which, despite not being a relatively new technology, has aroused curiosity about the gains and scope it can achieve.

One thing is certain: new technologies are transforming the various service fronts, including the way we do business. In other words, organisations need to invest in digital channels, since these mechanisms have been widely effective in creating a better relationship with customers and, according to research by McKinsey, companies that are already digitally mature perform better and have an EBITA growth rate up to 5 times higher than the rest.

In view of this, it's important to be aware of the trends that are gaining momentum in this segment. Get to know the main ones:

#1 B2C (Business to consumer): companies market their services or products directly to the end consumer. Most of them are low-cost platforms for those who want to launch their brand, especially if they use the structure of social networks and influencers as a marketing and promotion channel linked to the shopping experience. No wonder they are widely used in the marketplace market.

#2 B2B (Business to business): unlike the previous model, here companies commercialise their services or products with other companies. This model is also gaining strength because the manufacturers' market has realised the importance of digitising the channels between companies, thus building a direct and comprehensive relationship.

#3 D2C (Direct to consumer): this is an important trend for the e-commerce market. It is carried out without the presence of intermediaries, working directly with manufacturers and suppliers, and has been gaining notoriety not only by large companies, but also by small and medium-sized ones.

#4 LogTechs: the term defines start-ups that operate in the logistics sector, applying the use of technology. We currently live in a globalised world. In this sense, with the support of AI, solutions and resources are being created that aim to shorten the distance, optimising cost and time. This is yet another element that organisations need to be aware of in order to apply it efficiently in their business.

#5 Fintechs: people don't want to be tied to a specific method for paying their expenses. That's why fintechs, which work to restructure financial processes using technological resources, have been gaining momentum. Proof of this is the practice of instant payments, which has gained a strong following among the population and has helped to speed up the buying and selling relationship in various companies.

#6 CX (Customer Experience): investing in the customer experience is no longer just a trend, but a necessity. To do this, companies need to be where their consumers are, ensuring that they complete their journey on the channel of their choice. Providing this omnichannel experience through technology is essential if consumers are to feel satisfied and remain loyal to the brand.

All these trends have in common that they are operated in multichannel mode. Although this is not an easy task, it can be simplified with the support of specialised tools to shorten the path, bringing greater accessibility to the integration of new technologies that will help improve and solve the pains and challenges faced by the business.

However, when it comes to obtaining a tool to support these needs, many still get stuck looking for a SaaS platform or code - but, considering that each company has its own particularities, it is important that, during this process, they have the support of a specialised organisation, which as well as providing implementation services, seeks to accelerate business growth by enabling the use of these solutions, responding to their specific needs.

It's time to define what the next steps should be in order to obtain assertive results. AI continues to be a hot topic at the moment, but it has already been used for a long time in a number of different disciplines. There's no getting away from the use of technology as a main item for boosting digital channels, but more than understanding its importance, you always need to look for ways that will bring gains to your business.