Drowning in paperwork and struggling to keep everyone on the same page? For small businesses, staying organized and efficient can be a constant challenge. Suppose a tool helps you centralize your documents, streamline communication, and automate tasks.
Microsoft SharePoint offers a powerful solution designed to help small businesses conquer these hurdles and achieve new productivity heights.
In this article, we’ll explore six key ways SharePoint can streamline your small business workflow and transform your team’s work.
Table of Contents
Centralized Document Management
Document management involves organizing, storing, and tracking documents throughout their entire lifecycle. This can be difficult for businesses that depend on physical files or scattered digital folders.
According to Business.com, 80% of employees prefer cloud-based file sharing. Remote working has shifted document management from printing, filing, copying, and handling physical documents to cloud sharing. This change has made cloud sharing an essential aspect of modern document management. SharePoint helps centralize document management.
Centralized document management takes it further by creating a single document repository. This allows for easy access, improved collaboration, and better control over document versions and security.
SharePoint is a central hub for businesses to stock, manage, and share documents. Its smooth interface and robust features simplify document management for organizations of all sizes.
Enhanced Collaboration and Communication
Siloed information and outdated communication methods can cripple collaboration within a team. According to Project.co, 70% of the employees think that a lot of time is wasted in their offices due to mismanaged communication. Meanwhile, 55% of employees feel they missed crucial messages due to faulty communication. SharePoint fosters a more connected work environment by offering features like team sites.
These sites are central hubs for project deliberations, file sharing, and task administration. Team members can access similar documents concurrently in real time, eliminating the confusion of multiple versions.
Moreover, it assimilates with other Microsoft Office apps and tools, permitting seamless communication and information flow within the team. This centralized platform ensures everyone is on the same page, fostering a collaborative spirit and boosting overall project efficiency.
Data Analysis and Reporting with Third-Party Analytic Tools
While SharePoint excels at document management and collaboration, its built-in analytics can be limited for in-depth data analysis. This is where third-party analytic tools come in. It integrates with various popular data analysis platforms like Power BI and Excel. Businesses can reveal a world of visions by connecting SharePoint data to these tools, states Intlock.
Third-party analytic tools, like those on https://www.intlock.com/, help users track and analyze activity on SharePoint and other Microsoft 365 applications. This information can improve employer adoption, engagement, and productivity.
They can create interactive control panels that visualize key performance indicators (KPIs), recognize patterns and trends and patterns, and generate comprehensive reports. It empowers data-driven decision-making, allowing businesses to optimize workflows, measure progress towards goals, and gain a competitive edge.
Automated Workflows
Repetitive tasks can drain valuable time and energy. SharePoint tackles this hurdle with its automated workflow capabilities. Imagine a new client inquiry automatically triggering a welcome email and assigning tasks to the sales team. Or, an invoice automatically generates a notification for approval.
According to Gitnux, around 60% of SharePoint users practice automation workflows to improve their business progressions. It allows them to design workflows that streamline these repetitive processes, minimizing manual work and ensuring tasks are completed consistently and efficiently. This releases your squad to focus on more tactical initiatives, boosting productivity and overall business agility.
Customizable Intranet Portals
Not every business operates the same way. SharePoint understands this by offering customizable intranet portals. These portals act as a personalized landing page for employees, providing quick access to the information and resources most relevant to their role.
Departments can create their sections within the portal, showcasing team news, project updates, and essential documents. Additionally, SharePoint allows for integration with popular business applications, further streamlining access to the tools employees use daily.
This level of customization fosters a user-friendly experience, keeping employees informed and engaged while promoting a sense of community within the organization.
Mobile Accessibility
In today’s constantly linked world, staying creative on the go is crucial. SharePoint recognizes this with its commitment to mobile accessibility. Through its mobile app, users can access documents, team sites, and company news directly from their smartphones or tablets.
This empowers employees to stay productive and connected even outside the office. It also advances collaboration as team associates can access and update information on the go. This can be especially cooperative for tasks that entail real-time updates or remote access.
It allows for real-time collaboration, task management, and information reclamation, regardless of location. Its mobile-friendly interface ensures a smooth user experience, empowering employees to stay productive and connected, even outside the office. Overall, mobile accessibility in SharePoint can improve productivity, flexibility, and collaboration for small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SharePoint, and how can it benefit small businesses?
SharePoint is a collaboration platform that helps small businesses centralize documents, streamline communication, and automate workflows. This can improve efficiency, boost productivity, and empower better decision-making.
How does SharePoint manage documents for small businesses?
SharePoint is a central repository for small businesses to store, establish, and share documents. This eliminates scattered files and ensures everybody can access the latest versions, minimizing confusion and wasted time.
Can SharePoint boost collaboration and communication in small businesses?
SharePoint fosters collaboration by providing a central platform for team conversations, file sharing, and task organization. This keeps everyone on the same page and streamlines communication.
In conclusion, SharePoint emerges as a powerful companion for small businesses looking to streamline operations and empower their workforce. From centralizing documents and fostering communication to automating tasks and mobile accessibility, it offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to uplift your business.
If you are looking to enhance productivity, boost collaboration, and gain a competitive edge, consider incorporating SharePoint into your small business strategy. Watch your team flourish with the newfound efficiency and agility that it can bring. Do give it a try now.