You have many valuable business assets, but you may not have considered your smartphone to be one of them. Although it doesn’t appreciate in value, your smartphone is actually one of the most valuable business assets you could ever own, and it’s more important than you may realize.
You spent several hundred dollars on your smartphone, whether it’s an older model, an iPhone 15, or a Samsung Galaxy S24. And you’ve probably bought a top-of-the-line case to ensure your investment stays intact for as long as possible. Your phone is essential. Without it, you’d have a difficult time running your business, and here’s why.
Your phone connects you to customers and clients
If you’re like most business owners, you don’t just take your phone calls and meetings from the comfort of your home office or couch. You take your calls out on the road while you’re driving, and perhaps while you’re visiting friends, or watching your kid play soccer.
Sometimes, you have no choice because clients or customers are only available at certain times, and you have to catch them when you can. However, if you weren’t able to do this, you would probably lose out on sales and closing other deals with your leads.
Just like your website is a major asset for lead generation, your smartphone is the asset that helps you take sales calls and close customers to get those conversions live. If you don’t need to close customers over the phone, your smartphone is the tool that keeps you connected to customer service tickets and help requests, which are critical to handle promptly. Some people even manage their entire business from a smartphone.
Your phone can help you screen client needs
Your time is valuable, but clients don’t always respect that. You might work in a profession where people call you around the clock and expect you to answer or return their calls right away. If this happens to you, you’re probably exhausted from finding out some calls weren’t all that important.
Having a smartphone allows you to let calls go to voicemail where callers are instructed to send you a text message. From there, you can reply and often resolve an issue without ever having to pick up the phone. This is critical in some professions, for example, smart lawyers train their clients this way.
You can manage your website from anywhere in the world
Your smartphone is more than a phone – it’s a pocket-sized computer that gives you the freedom to travel anywhere in the world while maintaining the ability to manage your website. If you happen to be traveling somewhere you can’t bring your laptop, or you just don’t want to, your smartphone is a great substitute.
Most website content management systems are easily edited from a mobile device, and apps make it easy to manage the financial aspect of your business. For example, you can manage your accounting through mobile apps if you haven’t hired a CPA or accounting team.
Smartphones are tax-deductible
The cost of your phone along with your monthly bill can be deducted from your taxable income if you meet the requirements. As long as you’re not an employee, you should be able to claim this deduction. However, you have to use your phone primarily for business (more than 50%) to qualify. If you use your smartphone entirely for business, it’s 100% deductible. If you use it 75% of the time for business, you can deduct 75% of the cost of the phone and your monthly bill.
Your phone can double as your notepad
If you’ve ever woken up early in the morning with a great idea, you know how valuable it is to have your phone handy so you can dump your thoughts into a text document before you forget. It’s easier than writing your ideas on paper since it’s usually dark and writing on paper in the air is difficult. When you use your phone to jot down ideas, you can do it in the dark without ever leaving your bed, and then go right back to sleep.
When you wake up later, you’ll have your ideas documented and you can either trash them if they don’t seem so great anymore, or send them to your laptop and put them to good use.
Your smartphone is a central part of your business
Whether you run your entire business from your phone or not, it’s a key asset to your business. Even if you don’t write it off as a depreciating asset on your taxes, the value your phone provides to your business is immeasurable.
Security Measures for Data Protection
In today’s digital age, securing sensitive business data is paramount. Implement robust security measures on your smartphone, including strong passwords, biometric authentication, and data encryption. Protecting your device from potential threats ensures the confidentiality and integrity of your business information, maintaining the trust of your clients and partners.
Enhancing Productivity with Mobile Apps
Smartphones are productivity powerhouses, offering a multitude of mobile apps tailored to streamline various business processes. From project management tools to communication platforms and financial management apps, these mobile applications empower you to work efficiently on the go. Discover how leveraging the right apps can optimize your workflow and boost productivity in your business operations.
Facilitating Remote Team Collaboration
In today’s globalized business landscape, remote collaboration is increasingly vital. Your smartphone serves as a central hub for coordinating with remote team members. Stay connected through messaging apps, video conferencing, and collaborative workspaces. Discover how efficient remote collaboration tools empower your team to work seamlessly, regardless of geographic boundaries, enhancing productivity and fostering teamwork.
Industry-specific and Business-specific Apps
Every business is unique, and specific industry demands require tailored solutions. Explore industry-specific and business-specific apps that cater to your niche. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, real estate, or any other sector, discover how specialized mobile applications can address your distinct needs, streamline processes, and provide a competitive edge in your market.