Digital growth for SMEs: Decoding digitisation, digitalisation, and digital transformation

Digitisation: The foundation

Digitisation is the process of converting analogue data into digital format. It’s the first step toward a digital business model and one that leads to multiple efficiency gains. You can think of it as moving from paper to computer files or face-to-face to online meetings. 

From scanning application forms and saving them as a PDF document to recording billing and payments on a spreadsheet, digitisation helps you preserve, access and share information more easily, securely, and cost-effectively.   

Digitising documents also means that you’ll spend less time chasing paper trails as they can be backed up, meaning you’re less likely to lose or damage them when editing or sharing, adding an extra layer of safekeeping.  

What’s more, digitising records, like time sheets, and duties, such as stocktaking, reduces errors and streamlines tasks, freeing you and your workers to focus on more business-critical activities like sales and customer service.  

While these things may seem like a given, there are still many organisations, particularly those in the heavy engineering and construction sector, where paper dockets and timesheets are still used daily.

Digitalisation: Process enhancement

Digitalisation is the second step toward a digital business model. It shifts digitisation up a notch by leveraging technology to improve processes. It’s not just about converting data– it’s about re-engineering operations to boost customer services, up efficiency, and uncover new opportunities.  

Digitalisation increases productivity and quality by refining workflows, outputs and outcomes. Email marketing systems, for instance, automatically send messages to customers at set touchpoints, like a welcome email when they sign up or a reminder when they miss a payment or requesting feedback after their order has been delivered The result is a more seamless, reliable and responsive experience which boosts satisfaction.  

Clever digitalisation features like data analytics and artificial intelligence also enhance decision-making and problem-solving. Such solutions process massive amounts of information and provide insights and recommendations which you can use to optimise performance.  

Hosted computing is another handy element of digitalisation. It involves uploading digital files to the cloud, meaning you can store and access records from anywhere, facilitating better collaboration and productivity. 

Digital transformation: A complete overhaul  

Digital transformation is a fundamental change in how businesses operate. You can think of it as the final step towards a digital business model, but it’s not a one-time project. It’s an ongoing journey requiring continuous adaptation in response to fluctuating market trends, changing customer needs, and upgraded technology products and services.  

New business models, strategies and a technology-first mindset are central tenets. It’s all about embracing digital technologies to modify existing or create new, more efficient, unique and superior operational procedures, products, services and customer experiences.  

Changing how customers place orders from over-the-counter to an online platform, for example, makes it much more convenient for customers and speedier for those processing the orders. It helps with differentiation and gives you a competitive edge by extending the customer base beyond the local area, opening you up to new revenue streams. 

Digital tools also strengthen brand loyalty and advocacy. For instance, engaging with customers on social media personalises interactions and helps build long-term relationships. What’s more, when customers like, share, repost, and follow you, it’s equivalent to a word-of-mouth recommendation– one of the most valuable and credible marketing methods there is.

Why should you care? 

As an SME leader in today’s dynamic and competitive environment, we understand the various challenges and pains you face. You’re constantly pressured to keep up with customer expectations, market trends, regulatory changes and technological innovations.  

You’re also dealing with limited resources, time, and budget to invest in your business’s growth and development– this is where digitising, digitalisation and digital transformation help. By adopting and integrating digital technologies into your business, you can: 

• Save time and money by reducing operational costs, waste and inefficiencies. 
• Increase productivity and quality by improving your processes, workflows and outputs. 
• Enhance customer satisfaction and retention by delivering better products, services and experiences. 
• Boost innovation and creativity by experimenting with new ideas, solutions and possibilities. 
• Gain a competitive edge and market share by differentiating yourself from competitors and meeting customer needs.  

Taking your first steps 

If you are interested in digitising, digitalising or digitally transforming your business, here are five steps you can take to get started: 

1. Assess your current situation and identify your goals, needs and gaps. 

1. Research and evaluate the available digital technologies and solutions that suit your business. At this stage it may also help to speak to an IT consultant, who can suggest new technologies you may not even be aware of. 

1. Plan and implement your digital strategy and roadmap with clear objectives, milestones and metrics. 

1. Monitor and measure your progress and results, and make adjustments as needed 

1. Learn and adapt to the changing technical landscape. It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, AI was still an unwieldy beast for most companies.  

Digitising, digitalisation and digital transformation are not just buzzwords but powerful ways to improve and grow your business. By embracing digital technologies, you can unlock your potential and achieve your goals. 

Speak to one of our experts today and start making tech work better for your business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to consolidate your digital operations.