![]() New changes in technology and innovative business models have optimized social life and business practices. The management amongst a business has even changed. With high speed wi-fi networks, tablets to take the customers order at a table instead of the traditional pen and paper, managers can see things more clearly. “The growth of enterprise-wide information systems with extraordinary rich data means managers no longer operate in a fog of confusion but instead have online, nearly instant access to the really important information they need for accurate and timely decisions.” (Laudon, K. & Laudon, J. 2018) Very few organisations are as numbers driven as restaurants or cafes, and the best tool to have at the front of the data chain than a modern point-of-sale system. A POS will help collect, organize and help an operator interpret a restaurant’s numbers. Some really advanced POS systems will even track current and historical guest counts, transactions, guest order specifics, trends and more. The next important system to have in a cafe is a back-office system, this is the information hub for all others. it manages inventory, purchasing, scheduling and even food safety compliance. (Synergysuite.com) The handheld ordering system is another exciting innovation that may be seen in your modernised restaurant or cafe. It’s efficient, fast and easy to use. Some of the benefits are; Customer Service - “The handheld systems can if the restaurant wishes, pull up the picture of any dish to show the customer. Another benefit is to using these systems is when a customer asks about nutritional information, can get it instantly from their handheld system.” (CostaSystems, 2016) Saving Money - “The handheld POS systems will reduce costs significantly, as more tables can be assigned to servers without compromising service. The menu information is available for the server at table side so less staff training is required as the servers do not have to memorise all the options, they have it instantly.” (CostaSystems, 2016) Another important system used in any cafe or restaurant, is a financial system or accounting system. The system should be able to manage costs and cash flow. A cafe needs a stable cash flow to buy more supplies, pay employees etc. The system should be able to show what is needed, what costs are to be covered, such as wages, expenses and capital. Information systems and technologies are a major enabling tool for businesses to create new products to make life easier for the service industry, When a business really knows it’s customers and give them a good experience, they should return. Not only is it important for a cafe to take care of its customers, it is also important to take care of their staff. Creating a positive organizational environment and culture is essential for happy staff. “Organizations and environments have a reciprocal relationship.” Information systems are key instruments for “environmental scanning”, helping managers identify external changes that might have an impact on the business environment. (Laudon, K. & Laudon, J. 2018) For cafes and restaurants, it seems that adapting and growing with technology and innovational changes can absolutely turn a business upside down, in a good way. Sources K, Laudon & J, Laudon. (2018) Management Information Systems. Managing the Digital Firm. Pearson Education Ltd. Harlow, England. The 3 Most Important Systems Your Restaurant Needs. Synergy Suite. [Online] Available at: https://www.synergysuite.com/blog/3-most-important-systems-your-restaurant-needs (2016) Benefits of a hand held terminal. Costa Systems. [Online] Available at: https://www.costasystems.ie/benefits-of-a-costa-systems-handheld-ordering-system-in-restaurants/
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“Boosting sales in your coffee shop isn’t just down to being aware of the latest trends, like gourmet coffee and healthier snacks. It’s about being clued-in to key strategies that have been proven to boost revenue.” (Landau, 2018) As a organisation with a huge heart, we think Bang Bang could take their business to the next level. Adding some extra quirks to your organisation could be a great way to increase business and customer loyalty. And Bang Bang are all out being unique and standing out from the crowd. (Landau, 2018) mentions something as simple as adding wine to a cafe menu, which is an excellent way to attract new business, “adding wine to the menu is a strategy to boost sales during slower times of the day, but it’s also a way to broaden the customer base.” Another way to add a little something extra to your cafe and give back to your customers, could be to introduce a loyalty card. Get every 6th coffee free etc. “A loyalty or a rewards program is a simple and efficient way of giving something back to the customer, who in turn feels valued and appreciated. This again leads to a high probability of him or her returning. Repeat business = higher revenue.” (Sol, M. 2014) Increasing brand awareness via social media is essential for any independent cafe as there is such a high volume of competition. Increasing followers, likes and shares can only boost popularity and drive more traffic to your website, and hopefully, to your cafe. (Soundh, G. 2017) says feedback is essential, “take timely feedback from the customer base via online feedback form. Also, make sure you analyze your reports daily via tools or from particular social media API. “ Adding some video content from time to time could also gain brand awareness. Video content is more consumed by the user. It is important to keep up to date with trends. Post about what’s going on in your area, engage with customers.Band Bang have increasingly got involved with the community which is positive for business. On the 11th of April, Bang Bang hosted an open discussion aimed at men about the 8th amendment. They mention “Mens votes are just as important and this vote need to be mobilised.” (Bang Bang Facebook, 2018) Getting involved with politics could be a tricky move, but for Bang Bang it seems to work. What is special about their them as a business is that they like to get involved with what they believe in, not just to make a profit. This can create brand loyalty and customer loyalty. Lastly, Influencer marketing could help target a larger audience on a larger scale. Offer them new products to try get them, posting on Instagram and Twitter. Having influencers promoting or rating your product creates trust amongst possible new users. They are more likely to try your products if their favourite influencer loves them too. Sources Landau, C. (2018) 6 Tips to Maximize Your Coffee Shop’s Revenue. B plans. [Online] Available at: https://articles.bplans.com/6-tips-to-maximize-your-coffee-shops-revenue/ Sol, M. (2014) “5 THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR COFFEE SHOP STAND OUT” Loyal Zoo.[Online] Available at:https://www.loyalzoo.com/5-elements-will-improve-coffee-shop/ Soundh, G. (2017) “Growth Hacking Tips to Increase Your Brand Awareness Via Social Media” Entrepreneur. [Online] Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/311482 As explained in a previous blog post, an Information System can be seen as the organised combination of people, hardware, software, communication networks, data resources, policies and procedures that stores, retrieves, transforms and disseminates information in an organisation. (Gupta, H. 2011 ) “The arrival of the mainstream internet in the 1990s expanded business capabilities and the role of information systems to a global system of interaction.” (The University of Scranton. 2018) Information Systems have evolved from simple systems to extremely powerful devices. The technology is now so advanced there is augmented reality, wearable technology and 3D printing for everyday use such as the Google Glass. This is a device equipped with augmented reality that you wear on your face just like a pair of glasses. The Google Glass will project images into your field of vision based on your context and voice commands which can only be seen by you. (Bourgeois, D.T, 2014) The Google Glass is just one of the many devices made from the advances in technology and expect plenty more. A 3D printer allows you to print virtually any 3D object based on a model of that object that is designed on a computer. 3D printing has also been used to create an ear that can hear beyond the range of normal hearing. The US Air Force now uses 3D printed parts on the F-18 fighter jet. (Bourgeois, D.T, 2014) 3D printing technology has the greatest potential to significantly alter people’s lives for the better. 3D printing can be used to make implants and prosthetics. 3D Systems have also allowed to make The Ekso Bionics suit fits to a person’s body perfectly and will enable a spinal injury patient the ability to walk again. Ekso Bionic is producing the system for anyone that needs robotic assistance. Information Week believes “To maintain competitive advantage in the near term, you'll have to go one step further and adopt an intelligence-technology framework, built on the IT foundation you already have. That means integrating AI-powered automation and prediction at scale, across all business units. As for your old systems, continuing to invest in IT for IT’s sake isn’t sustainable.”
The Market Intelligence Trends 2020 survey by M Brain conducted a survey of 139 business managers across European cities. 91% of all respondents said they need the implementation of automated data analysis by 2020. 78% of the business managers surveyed considered big data to have a large impact on market intelligence activities. 64% of all respondents expected information collection and analysis programmes to be integrated with other organisational functions in the future. (Rossi, B. 2015) These implementations are what is expected by business managers. To remain competitive, companies are investing in modern information systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning software. This software integrates the different functional areas of the business, and provide consistent real-time data for fast decision making. ERP systems help businesses manage their operations flawlessly across the globe. (The University of Scranton. 2018) “ERP uses a unified programme that links various functional departments such as finance, HR, manufacturing, warehouse, planning, purchasing, inventory, sales, and marketing. While each department may have its own set of software modules, the software is interconnected so that information can be shared throughout the organisation. (The University of Scranton. 2018) This unified programme allows for a company to cut down on the use of paper too which cuts costs and is better for the environment. Companies can use Information and Communication Technology to provide products & services of the highest quality at affordable prices and top-rated customer service, and help the organisations to enter new markets through e-commerce. As Bang Bang Cafe would not be able to sell cakes and coffee online, they could branch out and sell their merchandise online such as mugs and the vintage t shirts. Augmented Reality and Wearable Technology are the future of Information Systems. Sources Gupta, H. (2011) Management Information System. International Book House. New Delhi. India. The University of Scranton. (2018) The Role of Information Systems in Running the 21st Century Organization. [Online] Available at: https://elearning.scranton.edu/resource/business-leadership/the-role-of-information-systems-in-increasing-productivity Bourgeois, D.T. (2014) Chapter 13: Future Trends in Information Systems. [Online] Available at: https://bus206.pressbooks.com/chapter/chapter-13-future-trends-in-information-systems/ Abrams, M. (2016) Top 6 Innovations in 3D Printing. ASME. [Online] Available at: https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/manufacturing-design/top-6-innovations-3d-printing Information Week. (2018) The Future of Information Technology is Intelligence. [Online] Available at: https://www.informationweek.com/big-data/ai-machine-learning/the-future-of-information-technology-is-intelligence/a/d-id/1331033? Rossi, B. (2015) 3 trends that will impact information management systems. Information Age. [Online] Available at: http://www.information-age.com/3-trends-will-impact-information-management-systems-123459665/ https://elearning.scranton.edu/resource/business-leadership/the-role-of-information-systems-in-increasing-productivity |
AuthorNaoise Redmond & Laura Carrick Archives
April 2018
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