How the modern workplace is allowing SMEs to channel the large corporative way of working
2020 saw UK SMEs generate around half of the total turnover for the UK private sector. So how are the David’s keeping up with the Goliath’s in the UK? The year 2020 for many people was a dismal year, filled with lockdowns, constant policy changes and the lack of freedom to visit family and friends. But this was also the year that allowed the smaller businesses to utilise an opportunity to change the perception of clients, employees, and prospects.
Keep reading to discover how SMEs changed from local businesses to national brands over the course of a few months
Utilising automation and applications can increase your workplace productivity up to 60%
On average, the UK worker spends 36% of their workday carrying out repetitive tasks. This equates to the average businesses spending roughly £895 per annum per employee on repetitive tasks. Yet so many business owners aren’t aware of this figure. So, what can SMEs do to tackle this and make savings?
Moving into the modern workplace for SMEs isn’t just going into the cloud. In fact, moving the data into the cloud is just the beginning as Microsoft and other companies enable SMEs to start the process of automating their tedious repetitive tasks. For many, this can be a complicated process which is why MSPs such as ACS are always here to lend a helping hand.
Another way to increase productivity as well as user-experience in the workplace is creating an application for your business. Last year the US alone lost up to $300 billion in annual revenue due to productivity and stress. You can create the application entirely on how you need it to work, whether it is for client experience and access or to increase employee accessibility to specific areas of the business.
Apps can be developed at many different price ranges too depending on what you need, with free app templates being available on the MS marketplace which you can edit yourself to fully bespoke apps created by app developers.
Thinking of developing an app or automating the repetitive tasks for your business? Get in touch with us below
What else can SMEs benefit from if they embrace a modern workplace
As mentioned above, employee stress can cause businesses to lose revenue due to the adverse effect stress can have on productivity. However, there is another big issue which is caused from stress in the workplace. 16% of employees have admitted to leaving a job due to stress they have suffered. This can be a huge problem as high staff turnover can put the best candidates off a job.
The modern workplace not only increases business productivity, but also looks at increasing employee wellbeing by enabling businesses to provide solutions which benefit staff. If a staff is becoming overloaded with work, direct private chats and audio calls are there for them if they need to reach out to anyone. There is also the collaboration side of the modern workplace, allowing teams to share their workload if necessary and work on projects together, even if they are all remotely working.
Prior to COVID, remote working was a benefit many employees didn’t have access to down to the lack of security and tools available to the normal SME. That has all changed now as Microsoft have introduced an easy way for SMEs to get their business into the cloud all the while access collaborative remote working tools. Not only do these tools promote the benefits of remote working, but also allow SMEs to stretch their business across the globe if they wanted to.
The modern workplace is still very much an everchanging perception, but it has allowed many SMEs the opportunity to grow which wasn’t available 10 years ago. As well as this, SMEs can also give opportunities to employees which were not possible which in return can help reduce workplace stress and keep clients happy in return.
Has your business adopted a modern workplace approach? If you’re still thinking about it, complete the form below to see how we can make the modern workplace benefit your business
