Simple ways to use technology, strengthen your brand, and prepare your business for the season ahead.
Summer in Alaska has a way of keeping business owners busy.
Whether you’ve spent the last few months welcoming tourists, keeping up with seasonal demand, working long hours, or simply trying to stay ahead, chances are you’ve been focused on getting through the day, not stepping back to work on your business.
As summer winds down, now is the perfect time for a back-to-business reset.
Instead of waiting until something breaks or a challenge pops up, take a little time to strengthen the foundation you’ve already built. A few small updates now can help protect your business, save time, and prepare you for whatever comes next.
Give Your Business a Technology Refresh
Technology is changing quickly, and small businesses don’t have to be experts to benefit from it.
Think about the tasks that take up the most time each week. Are there tools that could simplify scheduling, invoicing, bookkeeping, inventory management, customer communication, or marketing? Even small improvements can free up valuable time to focus on serving customers and growing your business.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another tool many businesses are beginning to explore. From brainstorming social media content and organizing information to improving customer service and streamlining repetitive tasks, AI can help increase efficiency when used thoughtfully.
The goal isn’t to adopt every new tool that comes along. It’s finding technology that works for your business and helps you spend more time doing what you do best.
Not sure where to start? The Alaska SBDC offers no-cost AI resources, workshops, and Business Advising to help small businesses understand practical ways to use emerging technology.
Learn more about our AI resources:
https://aksbdc.org/services/ai-resource-center/
Is Your Brand Protected?
One of your business’s most valuable assets isn’t something you can hold in your hands, it’s your brand.
Your business name, logo, website, original photos, marketing materials, product designs, recipes, and other creative work all help tell your story and set you apart from the competition.
Many business owners don’t think about protecting those assets until someone else copies them or creates confusion in the marketplace.
That’s where intellectual property comes in.
Depending on your business, it may make sense to explore trademarks, copyrights, patents, or trade secrets. Not every business needs every type of protection, but understanding your options early can help you make informed decisions as your business grows.
While the Alaska SBDC cannot provide legal advice or file intellectual property applications, our Business Advisors can help you understand when these conversations become important and connect you with trusted resources.
Visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to learn more:
https://www.uspto.gov/
Protect More Than Your Brand
As businesses adopt more technology, protecting digital information becomes just as important as protecting your logo or business name.
Take a few minutes to ask yourself:
- Are your passwords strong and unique?
- Is multi-factor authentication turned on?
- Are your important files backed up?
- Are your computers and software up to date?
- Do your employees know how to recognize phishing emails or scams?
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple habits can go a long way toward protecting your business, customer information, and day-to-day operations.
Explore the Alaska SBDC’s on-demand workshop, Avoiding Security Disasters for Small Businesses: https://aksbdc.org/workshops/avoiding-security-disasters-for-small-businesses-live-webinar/
Build on What’s Working
Back-to-business season isn’t just about catching up, it’s about setting yourself up for success.
Maybe this is the season you implement a new software system, begin exploring AI, register a trademark, strengthen your cybersecurity practices, or finally tackle that project you’ve been putting off all summer.
Whatever your next step looks like, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
The Alaska SBDC provides no-cost Business Advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs make informed decisions, embrace new technology, and build stronger businesses.
Big improvements often start with one small step. When you’re ready, Alaska SBDC Business Advisors are here to help you move your business forward.