When you think digital transformation, you may be thinking of large corporations in high rise buildings with mountains of IT staff making all sorts of technological changes.

But in the interests of operating efficiently in this digital age, small businesses are also in need of digital transformation and it is certainly an area worth getting on board with. And this is even more important if you have just bought a business or are thinking of selling one soon.

Digital transformation refers to transforming the current business processes in such a way that digital strategies and technology are incorporated into the regular running of the company.

To maintain a competitive edge as a business, you cannot ignore the digital era. Especially as many businesses of varying sizes are already looking into exploring digital transformation.

Wondering how you can digitalise your business? We’ve got a few ideas for you.

Automating tasks

Some tasks in the workplace may be time-consuming and quite monotonous. An automated system can increase efficiency and even deliver a happier workforce. Something like building a database to capture information is better done with an automated system, which will then leave your employees free to focus on other more skilled task that will increase sales and bring in revenue.

Similarly, a virtual assistant can help source documents or set up important meetings so your staff are not drowning in administrative work that does little to stimulate their intellect. There are many software programs out there like Julie Desk that can do this for your business.

Data analytics

Another way to digitalise your business is through data analytical programs. These programs enable you to access data that can provide insights into running your business more effectively and creating marketing and business strategy plans. Some analytical programs can analyse market share, rivals and consumer trends to then provide recommendations to you directly. Being a purely machine driven program, any form of bias is also eliminated.

Go paperless

In a recent study from Xerox, 81 per cent of small businesses want to eliminate paper from their business within 12 months.

By going paperless, small businesses can store and share information more quickly and easily. This increase in communication will also increase opportunities for effective collaboration. Not to mention, the monetary savings and improvement in accuracy.

Small Business UK reported that by going paperless, small businesses can become more efficient, keep a more accurate record and eliminate any mistakes that may be made with difficult to read handwriting. Mobile data solutions are a common example of going paperless and allow digital methods of data capture. In turn, businesses find they have more streamlined processes, fewer errors and greater in-house communication.

Virtual office

A virtual office can save you significant amounts of time and with solutions like cloud productivity platforms, the output from your employees can increase exponentially. Documents will be able to be accessed at any time, and from any working environment. And you will also be able to provide your staff with flexibility in working location. This can be very valuable when your employees need to travel to see clients or visit sites.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but definitely a practical one. Think about how your business can digitalise.