You have already analysed your needs and now you should move ahead and analyse your possibilities, considering the cost factor and time constraints. These two considerations are your guiding elements. Previously, in the first part of your journey (ideation) you had analysed what taking advantage of digital tools means for your business meaning you had reviewed the technological developments and competitive pressures in your industry or sector and chosen what you need to do. Now it is time for you to answer the following questions with the allocated budget and the time allocation The questions below should be answered by yourself with the help from a representative from the small digital sector. This will stir a discussion r before you start your implementation process:
Question Number | Description | Answer provided by |
Question 1 | How will digital uptake impact my business in the short and long term? | Digital Sector |
Question 2 | What future technologies do I need to consider? | Digital Sector |
Question 3 | Can adopting Cloud Computing empower my business? | Digital Sector |
Question 4 | Which digital tools and technologies that I am aware of could be used to adapt the identified process. | Myself |
Question 5 | What infrastructure do I have, are there limitations (e.g. internet access or speed), do I need to invest in new hardware or additional equipment? | Myself & Digital Sector |
Question 6 | How much budget do I have for this, bearing in mind the ROI | Myself |
Question 7 | How much time can I and my staff spend on adapting the processes and our skills to be able to use the necessary digital tools and technologies | Myself |
Once you start answering these questions and locating the answers, you will have a better understanding of the possibilities. You will need collaboration with the company from the Small Digital Sector discuss the different costs of each solution (see table below) as well the added value they will have in your business. Moving ahead you will need to see what the skills are needed in order your staff to start using the different solutions.
Type of Activity | Description | Cost | ROI | Staff Skills Needed |
New Website | Create a new website (presentation type) that is more user friendly for the visitor | 2.500 Euro | More user friendly, more attractive to the user | Creativity, thinking out of the box, communication skills |
Add e-commerce | Add an e-commerce add-on on your website so that buyers that start having an online experience in our store | 2.000 Euro | Increase sales, enter the online buying market, our customers could reach our products easier | Marketing, Sales, Basic IT knowledge, Co-creation |
Add a booking system | Add a booking system so that customers can visit us and make a direct booking us rather through booking. Com | 5.000 Euro | Will gain the 10% that currently booking.com keeps from any booking made via their system | Sales, Financial, Marketing, Communication Skills |