Historically digitising a business was expensive and the move from paper was a painful time-consuming process. Now however it is a MUST.
Technology will enable your team to be more productive, more agile and make them happier through streamlined and automated processes. Digitising is no longer a choice in many industries, even going to the shop the new tills and credit card readers look and work better than predecessors. Not only making employees happy but improving customer experience, not to mention happy staff = happy customer.
1. SAVE MONEY
Digitising your small business will often see a significant fall in direct costs as well as overheads. Going paperless saves on not only the paper but the stationery and printing costs associated as well.
Where do you want to store your profit? Your pocket, or the stationary cupboard?
Automating your CRM with tools such as Hubspot can save a ton of time on admin meaning that you can concentrate on your outreach and your customers.
Using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) instead of traditional phone lines can save between >50% in telecom expenses (Telzio). If this isn’t enough, the set-up cost can be next to nothing compared to the typically £14,500 on traditional systems.
Using Dext will save time by taking photos of receipts and emailing invoices instead of needing to compile and deliver a ton of paperwork. It also improves the exchange of information between you and your bookkeeper/accountant.
As Covid has shown and a further benefit of digitisation you could reduce your office spaces. This accommodates people who wish to work from home or to limit costs for recovery. Costs are also reduced by less power being used in you existing office or moving to more affordable smaller offices. Regional offices have also been an idea that has come up a lot in terms of having offices nearer to employees’ homes rather than one main office.
2. INCREASE AGILITY
Adapting, pivoting being and being agile are words that have come up a lot during the pandemic. To survive in this increasing fast paced world having these traits, and knowing when to use them, is key. Changing and adapting to customer preferences and in these times law changes is vital and those who were either already digitised or did so quickly had a clear advantage.
Being fully digital means processes can be updated and changes to fit environments with ease and often these companies made specific product upgrades in response to changing laws and needs. Changing software’s is often very easy, even more so if you are already using one. Meaning getting the process and tech to fit your requirements is simple.
As mentioned, being digital also makes working from home easier meaning you can respond better to stay at home orders or anything else that comes up next. Perhaps a real-life Kong Vs Godzilla is only around the corner.
3. BOOST MOTIVATION AND MORALE
A study by Airtasker found that remote employees put in an extra 1.4 days of work per month on average, which adds up to over three weeks per year.
In addition to boosting employee performance, studies have shown that 71% of UK workers consider flexible working as important to their job satisfaction and 37 percent are currently looking for a new job for this reason.
Being digital allows for this increased flexibility and often makes more productive, motivated, and happier employees. Which lowers staff turnover saving you money once again! Better tracking allows for increased competitiveness in the form of leader boards for employee performance. While this may not work with every industry those it does a bit of healthy competition goes a long way.
Leaving your staff happy, your customers happy and your profits soaring as a result!
4. IMPROVE EFFICIENCY
AUTOMATION, AUTOMATION, AUTOMATION, IF THE TASK CAN BE DONE BY A COMPUTER LET IT GO!
Why do boring, basic and time consuming tasks when a computer will do it faster, better and won’t get bored.
Digitising any size business will lead to a large increase in efficiency. Meaning your same number of employees, with minimally increased costs compared to hiring new employees, will produce more work. Thanks to integrations most systems will talk to each other meaning no more double entry and a sense of truth across multiple interfaces. I would normally list potential ways this could work for you but honestly there are to many to even try!
Not only this but cloud technologies allow for multiple people to access, work on and collaborate on documents and other forms of work. Saving your employees time and allowing multiple perspectives to be applied with ease.
THE TIME IS NOW
Digitising has never been easier or more beneficial. Get started as soon as you can to reap these benefits and I can promise you wont regret it. With the world changing and the future uncertain the only thing we can do is prepare the best we can for what may come. Digitisation not only brings you into the 21st century but can help to guide you through to the next one!
