THE vast majority of Scottish business leaders feel confident in their ability to grow their business but most recognise that their organisation will not survive if they fail to embrace digital transformation.
That is according to Vodafone’s TheDigital, Ready? report, which surveyed 2000 business leaders across the UK, including 143 businesses in Scotland.
It found that 84% of firms feel confident about growth but 62% recognise that survival depends on digital development.
One fifth (21%) have already successfully implemented digital transformation projects and more than half (58%) believe they are making good progress.
The report highlights that firms are prioritising digital transformation to increase efficiency (52%), improve customer experience (45%) and increase productivity (34%).
These goals come ahead of objectives such as shortening the time to market (23%), developing new products and services (25%) and reaching new customers (24%).
Athena Ainsworth, head of regional business at Vodafone UK, commented: “It’s an exciting time for organisations in Scotland as they set out on their digital transformation journey.
“The smallest digital steps can have a real impact on the growth and success of an organisation.
“Implementing the right new technology is helping businesses become smarter, more creative and more efficient.”
The report also suggests that those businesses that have embraced digital transformation already are starting to reap the rewards.
More than a quarter (29%) of business leaders have been able to reach new customers or user segments while 27% have increased customer satisfaction and 25% report higher staff motivation.
More than half (52%) of businesses chiefs reported that they are planning to spend more than £100,000 on digital transformation in the next two years.
Companies are exploring a range of technologies in which to invest, according to the study, including real-time data analytics, unified communications, the internet of things and big data.
Bosses cited dealing with legacy IT systems while systems are updated (19%), the cost of new technology (15%) and budget shortages (13%) as their biggest challenges.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel