Technology is no longer just an issue of working more efficiently, your competitive edge now very much depends on the extent to which you embrace it.
By Meg Crawford
In the construction industry, it’s still common for small businesses to operate manually or rely on paper.
While this was once the norm, recent reports indicate that such companies are heading in the direction of dinosaurs, while tech-savvy competitors will thrive.
This isn’t just digital propaganda. The results are demonstrable. For instance, in the Deloitte Access Economics 2017 report, digitally advanced small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were found to be 50 per cent more likely to grow revenue and earn 60 per cent more revenue per employee—a major incentive for contractors and sole traders to invest in digital tools. For those focused on business expansion, the report also determined that digitised SMEs were eight times more likely to create jobs and 14 times more likely to offer new products or services. In short, businesses lift when they focus on digital technology.
Jason Loft, managing director of Protrade United, a consultancy for trade and construction businesses, agrees.
“Paper-based may have been okay five years ago, but those businesses won’t last,” he says. “If businesses aren’t prepared to embrace technology, they’re going to get left behind because properly tech-equipped businesses can produce an outcome in a much shorter time frame and provide a more user-friendly experience for the client. That’s destined to be more profitable.”
WHERE DO YOU START?
The breadth of options and the functionality now available for digital technology is mind-blowing. For example, take the raft of apps that can scan invoices and receipts from your phone, extracting line items, processing attachments and integrating data directly with accounting software. With the sheer volume of options and new technologies becoming available almost daily, it can be difficult to get your head around what a digitally-advanced business in a construction context looks like. What tech is available, what do you need and where do you start? The task can seem overwhelming.
MYOB’s head of Marketing and Digital Sales, Jane Betschel, breaks it down. “Our data shows growth and sustained success comes from digitising six core business processes: supplier management, staff management, revenue generation, work-in-progress management, cashflow and compliance,” she explains. “These are the areas where digital support is shown to benefit SMEs most. It can seem
daunting at the start. But with all good things, taking time out to get started is the key. My advice is to start small.
You’ll be much more effective if you take on one thing and fully understand it than you would be taking on half a dozen tools at once, with only top line understanding.
Her next suggestion is to nail down new technologies before moving on. “Whether you choose to take up social media, digitise your compliance requirements or invoice online, use that tool until you feel confident and at that point, your next step on the digital journey will undoubtedly become clear.
Our research shows that the time taken to set up digital tools is a barrier for one in five of small businesses. However, the data demonstrates that one of the clear benefits to digitising is saving time. So carving out a bit of time now for bigger time savings down the track is not something you will regret.”
ASK AROUND
Loft agrees. “As with any major change, implementing new technology is difficult to start, messy in the middle, and beautiful at the end. So it’s being able to go, ‘Okay, what’s the outcome I want to create?’, having the patience and investing the time.” However, he goes one step further and encourages businesses to speak to peers to gain intel.
“It’s sensible to reach out to other business owners who have used the software you’re considering,” he explains. “That way you get some practical insights before undertaking a major investment. People are often very willing to share that information.”
Betschel has another tip. “There are so many options, so make sure you do your research to source the best solution for you and your business,” she notes. “And make sure you explore the business platform providers offering trials so you can try before you buy.”
THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE
Hugh Campbell comes at it from a slightly different angle. When it comes to considering purchasing and implementing new systems, the national sales director of Nexvia (a specialist cloud-based construction management software company, that focuses on end-to-end solutions), considers that software unification is key. “I was guilty of this when I ran my own construction company for many years. I’d see a product and think, ‘Great, that solves the problem directly in front of me’. But ultimately, I was just adding to my pool of software, and solving individual problems but not integrating. It creates inefficiencies.”
IF NOTHING ELSE, YOUR CLIENTS EXPECT IT
Campbell suggests also that part of the necessity for improved and integrated digital technology is driven by clients.
“Your clients are getting smarter and their expectations are a lot higher,” he explains. “With those expectations come demands for better reporting and improved transparency on projects.
Software advances can assist with most of those things. By having smarter data that’s shareable and live, it can make a huge difference on any job, whether it’s in relation to budget management, health and safety, delivery or just general communication.”
