Simply put, digitisation means to convert something into digital format. You may opt for electronic bills instead of paper bills with your suppliers, for example. This is a small act of digitisation.
When it comes to the role digitisation plays in business planning, it's all about using new technologies to digitally manage your daily business operations, as well as interactions with customers, service providers and other stakeholders.
If you’re already doing one or more of the above, you’ve already begun your digitisation journey. But for small businesses in particular, digitisation offers a wealth of opportunity for your ongoing evolution. The best part? Doing more digitally doesn’t have to be hard.
In years gone by, evolving in line with new technologies was a priority reserved for big business and enterprise. But times have changed, and so have technology solutions.
Currently, the Government is backing critical and emerging technologies to strengthen Australia's future. So, what does this mean for small businesses? According to the report ‘Towards 2030: Positioning Australia as a leading digital economy and society’, to thrive in an increasingly online future, Australian businesses, no matter their size, need to adopt and adapt digital technologies at a greater rate than ever before.
“Digitalisation isn’t just about big business,” the Towards 2030 report states. “Small businesses have much to gain by investing in digital tools to streamline back-end processes, increasing their online presence and transforming how goods and services are delivered.”
The report also states that highly digitally engaged businesses earn 60 per cent more revenue per employee and grow 28 per cent faster than businesses with poor digital engagement. If you want to help your brand reap similar benefits, it may be wise to include a digital strategy in your business plan.
Learn how award-winning business Big Shed Brewing developed a technology-lead business strategy to achieve success.
Today, many businesses use digital technologies to help improve how they operate. Including digital technologies in your business strategy can help increase your productivity and save you time. In fact, the more everyday processes your business digitises, the more opportunities you may find to become more efficient. As a bonus, your customers may also benefit, helping to improve your reputation and build brand loyalty. Read on to explore how the right technology solutions can help your business.
Digitisation streamlines processes and reduces manual tasks through automation. For example, digital workflows and document management systems minimise paperwork, speed up approvals and reduce errors. This efficiency allows employees to focus on higher-value tasks, accelerating overall business operations.
Digital tools can enable employees to work more efficiently and collaboratively, regardless of location. Cloud based collaboration platforms, project management tools and communication apps help facilitate seamless teamwork and faster decision-making. This boosts productivity by reducing delays and improving workflow transparency.
Adopting digital solutions can often lead to cost savings. For instance, cloud computing eliminates the need for physical servers and helps reduce maintenance costs. Digital marketing strategies, such as social media and email campaigns, can be more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods. Moreover, remote work options cut overhead expenses related to office space and utilities.
Digitisation enhances customer experience by providing faster response times and personalised experiences. For example, eCommerce platforms enable 24/7 accessibility, expanding market reach and accommodating diverse customer preferences.
Learn more about how to evolve with your customers
The more time you can save as a small business owner, the better. By automating and optimising day-to-day business processes via digitisation, you can cut back on doing so much manually. Not only can such strategies give you more hours in the day, but you’ll also minimise the risk of human error.
For all their benefits, implementing technology solutions can still be a challenge. And with a growing number of digital solutions on the market, it’s wise to think carefully about which ones to include in your business plan.
Challenges to overcome on your digitisation journey may include:
Given these challenges, it can be tempting to stick with what you know. But as customers’ and employees’ expectations evolve, the old ways of doing things are becoming outdated. That’s why the best approach is to focus on the advantages of these new technologies instead of the challenges.
If you'd like to streamline your day-to-day business with technology but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone.
Many Australian small businesses are currently considering using more technology to help improve business operations and to interact with customers in the following areas:
Even so, it can be hard to stay on top of evolving technology between the day-to-day pressures of running a business. The good news is, your business need not do it alone.
If you’d like your future business strategy to include digital solutions, here are some resources that can help you plan your digitisation journey:
You can also use the Digital Readiness Assessment Tool at business.gov.au to find out what your business is doing well and what you can do to improve your digital maturity.
Visit Digital Readiness Assessment Tool
And remember. You control the future of your business; technology can help you thrive.
Download your Tech State of Play report to help propel your business further through technology.
Originally published January 2024, updated August 2024.
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