So they say that the definition of madness is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. If you run a business it may feel safer to keep doing what you know works, but whilst you are keeping to your formula, there is the risk that someone else is running their business with more agility, pushing boundaries and shaking things up.
You only have to look at the demise of brands like HMV to see how damaging focusing on your traditional model can be. HMV failed to recognise or keep up with the rapid growth of internet-only outlets like Amazon, and with expensive rents to pay, it wasn’t long until HMV folded. At Be Digital we have been talking to women-led businesses over the last few months, getting to know how they have grown and fought off tough competition in tough markets. Layla Welsh (French Grey Tales) said that “often women lose energy focusing on people copying their product, people shouldn’t worry, while they are looking at your facebook to see what you did last week, I am already planning what I am doing next year”.
The internet has caused many businesses to re-think their traditional operating model. Not only has it disrupted retailers on the high street but it has also started to disrupt other sectors too. One business to hit the headlines as the fastest growing company in the world is Uber. After trying to sell their product to taxi and private hire firms and being rebuffed, Uber decided to rip apart the industry, analyse and re-think each and every flaw. Uber is certainly a slick operation, making the most of GPS tracking it links people with a private hire though a simple app; collecting you within minutes, it knows where you are, allows you to pay for your fare before you enter the cab, and track your route giving an accurate arrival time. You can imagine how those traditional taxi companies are feeling now.
The internet and digital technology can be used by any company, you don’t need to go high tech but you do need to think about the opportunities opened up by digital technology and consider how they could work for you. Whether or not you are starting to consider creating an online presence, an app, a blog or tackling the world of social media; it’s scary and that is why it’s good to know that for businesses in Northumberland you don’t need to brave it alone. We have experts on hand.
We launched our Be Digital Springboard Programme a week ago today at Alnwick Garden where Michelle Mone passionately urged all businesses to get out of your comfort zone. She forced us all to realise that the only thing holding us back was ourselves. You only had to look at all three of the speakers at our event, Layla Welsh (French Grey Tales), Tanya Garland (Cool Blue) and Michelle to realise that all three women had succeeded because they had evolved, had kept up with trends, and most importantly had pushed boundaries – both personally and professionally.
The Springboard programme is no ordinary business support programme and is not for the faint hearted. The springboard will provide intensive support to 20 women-led businesses, making them re-think their business model into a digital context; understand and forecast future market trends. The springboard will do what it says on the tin, it will help business leap forward with their business growth. Making a commitment to change, to break the cycle of repeating the same business mistakes won’t be easy but as Tanya Garland urged at our event, we should feel the fear and do it anyway. It will be the making of your business.
So if you are ready for the challenge then apply to our Springboard – applications close Wednesday 30th September 2015 at 5pm.
www.bedigital.org.uk/springboardprogramme
