You’ve likely heard the saying…
“What gets measured gets managed.”
Recording key metrics is great for measuring your business growth.
If done right, it also reveals problems that need to be solved.
Digital transformation fixes problems and saves money. More than you think.
But there’s a catch…
Digital transformation isn’t cheap, right?
It isn’t always easy either.
In fact, for small and medium businesses it can sound downright impossible.
If you don’t have the budget of Microsoft or Toyota, how are you supposed to compete?
But before you go typing this blog post into your Search Engine Destroyer…
There’s a better way.
With smart planning and a knowledgeable Business Central implementation partner small businesses can transform on a limited budget.
Let’s walk through how it’s done…
What you’ll learn:
- Why SMEs Should Care About Digital Transformation
- How to Transform on a Budget
- Selecting Your Business Central Implementation Partner
- Low Hanging Fruit: Easy Fixes for your Business
Why SMEs Should Care About Digital Transformation
Don’t tell small businesses that technology is important.
They already know it. They live it.
The small businesses that win are the ones using technology to crush the competition.
Businesses that ignore it are already losing ground.
Forbes reports:
92% of SMEs view digital transformation as important or extremely important to their business.
Yo….92%. That’s almost every SME owner on the planet.
And they’d be lying if they said it wasn’t difficult.
The reality is that most small businesses think digital transformation is out of reach.
It’s “those big corporations” with money to burn who are investing millions into new technology.
Leading SMEs know this myth is just that. A myth.
Digital transformation can be done on a budget.
And when you don’t do it… you pay.
The price of not digitising isn’t measured in dollars and cents.
It’s lost customers, missed opportunities and competitors stealing lunch money.
Thankfully technology like Business Central Copilot makes enterprise software affordable for any size business. Coupled with a savvy Business Central implementation partner SME’s can configure Business Central to fit their unique business needs – without paying a dime for customisations.
Ready to rip off the bandaid? Let’s talk about how to transform on a budget.
How to Transform on a Budget
Imagine being able to take advantage of all the benefits of digital transformation – without spending much money.
Sound too good to be true?
It isn’t.
By following a few simple rules you can digital transform your SME for very little money.
Best part?
You’ll grow your business while you do it.
Here’s how to start transforming on a budget:
Start With the Cloud
Cloud computing has revolutionised the way small businesses can use technology.
No more expensive servers to buy and maintain. No more IT departments.
You simply pay a monthly subscription for what you need.
Lower upfront costs? Check.
Ability to scale as your business grows? Check.
Automation of updates and patches? Check.
Remote access for employees? Check.
Research by RubinBrown shows 95% of European companies have lowered their IT costs through the adoption of cloud solutions.
Avoid Costly Customisations
Ah yes, the dreaded customisation.
Somewhere along the line every business wants to completely customize their technology. “We need Thingamabob #874 for process XYZ.”
Custom development is expensive. It takes time. And it usually comes with costly ongoing maintenance.
Before you ask your Business Central implementation partner about customising your solution, ask yourself this:
Does this solve a problem or add unused functionality?
Modern ERP solutions like Business Central are built for integration, not customisation. Your implementation partner should too.
Business Central already comes pre-packaged with connectors to hundreds of other business applications. Take advantage of them.
Of course, some customisations are necessary. That’s why you hire a Business Central implementation partner.
Just be sure your partner understands the difference between required customisations and nice-to-haves.
Focus on Quick Wins
Want to keep costs low?
Don’t try to transform everything at once.
Instead, look for low hanging fruit.
Are there processes that can be automated? Documents that can be digitised? Information that can be centralised?
These are called Quick Wins.
Quick wins are things that you can improve with little effort that will immediately pay for themselves. Some examples include:
- Automating manual tasks
- Digitising paper processes
- Centralising customer data
- Streamlining invoicing
Each of these quick wins can save your business thousands within weeks. Not months. Not years. Weeks.
By focusing on quick wins first you’ll improve your business while you create budget for bigger changes.
Find the Right Business Partner
If you had to guess, which is more important…
The technology you use or who you hire to implement it?
Your ERP implementation partner will make or break your experience.
Here’s why:
An inexperienced Business Central implementation partner will give you an expensive system that doesn’t work.
Yours will also need to train you on how to use it.
They should also walk you through best practices for change management. After all, implementing new technology is a change to your business.
And most importantly your implementation partner:
Will save you from making expensive mistakes.
Finding the Right Partner
Not all Business Central implementation partners are created equal.
When considering who to hire, pay attention to the following:
- Industry experience
- Track record with SME’s
- Training and support options
- Transparent pricing
- References from similar businesses
The right partner will take the time to learn your budget. They’ll scope your project and recommend a phased approach that you can afford.
Questions to Ask
When meeting with prospective implementation partners make sure to ask these questions:
How long does implementation usually take for a business like ours? What does their training process entail? What support is included after go-live? Are there any additional costs not included in this initial quote?
Trust your gut.
If they start pitching pricey customisations without listening to your goals, walk away.
The right implementation partner is looking to solve your problems, not sell you features.
Low Hanging Fruit: Easy Fixes for your Business
There’s no one-size fits all answer to this question.
Quick wins will vary from business to business.
That being said, there are a few common quick wins that every SME can capitalize on.
Automation
How much time does your staff spend entering data?
If you’re like most businesses you could automate away hours of their time.
Built-in automation is one of the best quick wins for any software implementation. Your Business Central partner should walk you through automation options specific to your business.
Centralising Data
This was mentioned above but it’s worth repeating.
Information silos cost your money.
When customer information is stored in spreadsheets, email, and filing cabinets you’ll spend more time struggling to find it.
Storage should be easy.
Mobile Access
Nobody likes to feel tied to their desk.
Give your employees the freedom to access data from anywhere. There are tons of mobile options for Business Central that let you view and edit information from your phone or tablet.
Not only does this save your employees time, but it saves your business money too.
Mobile technology allows you to replace expensive desktops with tablets.
Bringing Your Business Into the Future Starts Today
Digital transformation can be affordable.
Even if you’re running a SME with tight budget constraints.
By starting with cloud based solutions, avoiding expensive customisations, and hiring the right implementation partner your business can transform.
Let’s review:
- Invest in cloud solutions to save on upfront costs
- Focus on integration instead of costly custom development
- Partner with an implementation specialist that understands SMB constraints
- Complete quick wins to drive savings you can reinvest
There will always be bigger companies with more money than you.
That doesn’t mean you can’t compete with them.
Start digital transforming your business today and get ready to crush it tomorrow.
The future won’t wait…
Will you?
