How Tech is Making Business More Accessible

Patrick Foster is an ecommerce consultant at ecommercetips.org

Image credit: PxHere

While those among us who’ve benefited from traditional systems of work can be intimidated by the march of technology, deeming it often arbitrary and more trouble than it’s worth, those who face more challenges in life are able to see it for what it really is: a remarkable expansion of possibility that is making almost every area of life more accessible to all.

And there’s perhaps no area — with the questionable exception of social activity — that has been further improved in recent years by technology (driven by the internet) than the world of business, and entrepreneurship in particular. Tech is giving rise to generations of savvy self-starters with the confidence and competence to forge their own paths.

But how specifically is technology achieving this? Let’s look at some of the main ways in which technology is making it easier for people of all kinds to enter the business world.

It’s providing countless free or cheap resources

Though the internet has been around for decades now, it’s only relatively recent that it has become as pervasive as it is today, with much of this being due to developments in infrastructure. It’s still far from a given that a particular area will have access to high-speed internet (enough to stream HD video, for instance), but it’s very commonplace.

What does this mean? Well, for anyone looking to learn, it means they have the single greatest research tool in the entire world at their fingertips. They can consume anything from articles, guides, training courses, and tutorial videos at their leisure, with many being provided completely free of charge.

So anyone who doesn’t feel that they can justify significant expenditure on personal development, or simply doesn’t have the money, can still work towards a better life. It’s all there for them — all they have to do is have the will and the drive to take it.

It’s mitigating the impact of various handicaps

Imagine someone with a keen mind but a physical handicap that makes it extremely challenging for them to move around. In an analog world, their prospects would be quite bleak — they’d rely heavily on support from those around them, and likely never be able to approach their potential. But technology now makes it possible for them to achieve mostly anything they can aspire to.

This extends from inspiration to practicality. Someone who can’t climb a mountain can use a VR headset to get an inkling of that experience, for instance. Is the simulation even close to the real thing? No, of course not — but the technology is still in its infancy, and even a slight hint of the real thing is more powerful than nothing at all.

And when it comes to taking action, systems designed to suit numerous types of handicap (with everything from refreshable braille displays to voice search tools making it easier to interact with computers) are making a huge difference in bringing basic UI comfort to everyone.

It’s allowing people to start businesses from anywhere

Not everyone has the capability to move wherever they want to go on a whim: in fact, it’s quite rare. We’re mostly restricted by our circumstances, and many people go their entire lives without straying too far from their hometowns. If you’re looking to enter a particular industry that’s dominated by a particular business in a far-off location, that presents a major issue.

But with the advent of flexible working and online opportunities, location has lost its all-encompassing power. Today, it’s possible to start, run, and expand a business from almost anywhere in the world, needing nothing more than a solid internet connection and a passion for what you’re trying to achieve.

And with it being eminently possible to build a thriving business (or even just buy one if you’re determined to scale up rapidly) without leaving your kitchen, any wild business idea that enters your mind doesn’t need to stay there. You can make it a reality.

It’s supporting near-limitless creative development

The resources of the internet aren’t just for research. There’s also no shortage of tools, platforms and channels out there, all making it possible for almost anyone to discover their passions and decide what kind of career they want to forge. If you think you might enjoy working in music, for instance, you can find music-making tools and experiment without needing to spend any additional money on equipment.

And if you just want to discuss your ideas with like-minded people before you try to give them form, you can easily find those with similar inclinations and aspirations. People who might never have considered becoming entrepreneurs now have access to huge swathes of motivating success stories from people with whom they can readily identify.

Technology is an immense force for good when it comes to bolstering both personal and professional accessibility. Children growing up today may face greater challenges in some regards, but one thing is undeniable: that they’ll have all the opportunity anyone could ever hope for.