Digitalisation is an important part of running a successful business, but a recent study has shown that UK businesses are lagging behind their global counterparts when it comes to embracing new technologies. 

Based on a 2021 report from  Manpower Group,  only one in five British businesses have accelerated their digital transformation plans as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, compared to 38 percent globally. As a result, this could be costing UK companies dearly, as they struggle to keep up with the competition.

So why is this? And what can be done to change it? In this blog post, I’ll be discussing:

• Key reasons why UK businesses are slow to digitise
• The benefits of digitalisation in business
• Top five insider tips on how business owners can get started with their own digital transformation

What are the key reasons why UK businesses are slow to digitise?

There are a number of potential reasons for this. Firstly, digital transformation can be a daunting and expensive process, particularly for small businesses who may not have the budget or resources to invest in new technologies. 

Another key factor could be that many business owners simply don’t see the need to digitalise their operations. After all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? In some organisations there is a lack of digital culture, which can lead to a failure to recognise the importance of digitalisation. This can result in a continued reliance on outdated methods and systems, which can eventually lead to the decline of the company.

Other businesses also experience a skills gap in their employees who struggle to keep up with the latest digital tools and trends. This can make it difficult for businesses to fully embrace digitalisation, as they lack the necessary talent and expertise.

What are the benefits of digitalisation in business?

There are numerous benefits of digitalising your business. Perhaps the most obvious is that it can help to improve efficiency and productivity levels, as digitalisation often leads to streamlined processes and systems. 

Digitalisation can also help businesses to cut costs and save money. For instance, automating tasks or moving to paperless operations can help businesses to reduce their expenditure. 

In addition, digitalisation can help businesses to better understand their customers and their needs. For instance, data analytics can provide insights into customer behaviour, which can be used to improve the customer experience. Additionally, digital marketing tools can be used to target potential customers with relevant advertising. 

Digitalisation can also help businesses to become more agile and adaptable. For example, cloud-based systems can enable businesses to quickly scale up or down as needed, and digital tools can help businesses to rapidly respond to changes in the market.

How can business owners get started with digital transformation?

If you’re a business owner who is looking to digitalise your operations, there are a few key things you need to do to at least to get started:

1. Assess & plan. Firstly, you need to assess your current situation and understand where you need to improve. This will involve taking a close look at your processes and systems and identifying areas where digitalisation could be beneficial.  Once you have a clear understanding of where digitalisation could help your business, you need to start making a plan. This should involve setting some goals and objectives for your digital transformation project, as well as identifying the specific digital tools and technologies you need to implement. 
2. Start small and take it step by step. By starting small and iterating, businesses are able to make change happen incrementally, without incurring the huge risks that are associated with traditional methods of change management. This approach allows businesses to keep up with the pace of change, while minimising the chances of developing products or services that customers don’t want.
3. Switch from a product-focused mindset to a customer-focused one. In the past, businesses have been largely focused on promoting their products and services. However, customers are now more interested in convenience and customer service than they are in products. As a result, businesses need to find ways to meet customer needs. For example, many restaurants have switched from traditional menus to online ordering systems. This allows customers to order food from their favorite restaurants without ever having to leave their homes. Similarly, many businesses are now offering delivery services in order to make life easier for customers.
4. Bring your people with you. As anyone who has ever embarked on a digital transformation will tell you, it is not a quick or easy process. It requires a fundamental rethink of how you do business, and that means involving everyone in the organisation – from the C-suite to the front line. Only by communicating your vision and getting buy-in from all parties will you be able to make the changes needed to succeed in the digital age. So start by bringing your people along with you on the journey. Explain what you’re trying to achieve and why it’s important for the business. And ask for their input – they may have ideas that you haven’t even considered. Only by working together will you be able to make the leap to digital success.
5. Prepare to make mistakes. As businesses increasingly move towards digitalisation, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of making mistakes. After all, with any new process there is always a learning curve. However, the key is to not let the fear of making mistakes prevent you from taking the necessary steps to digitalise your business. While it’s impossible to guarantee that everything will go perfectly, there are ways to minimise the risk of making mistakes.  

In today’s business climate, it’s more important than ever to have a strong digital presence. However, making the transition from traditional to digital can be daunting, and it’s easy to make mistakes that can damage your brand. Fortunately, there are digital transformation professionals who can help you navigate the digital world and avoid common pitfalls.

As my way of thanking you for reading this far, I am offering a free clarity call to help business owners like you assess their needs and develop a plan for moving forward with their digitalisation plans. With my years of business and marketing experience, I can help you make the transition smoothly and ensure that your online presence is as strong as possible.

Book a business growth strategy session for free: https://calendly.com/natalianicholson/strategycall?back=1&month