Digital Transformation:The 10-step checklistIn Part One of our SME Success event series, we covered why going digital is important for small businesses. Now follow these 10 steps to kick-start your own business journey onto the cloud.

Outline the major benefits that digitising will bring not only to your company – but to all employees. Paint a picture that gets everyone excited. If you’re the CEO, make sure you take a visible role in promoting the change.

Get the team onboard

Imagine the tangible benefits that going digital can bring to your business, company and community. Decide what you want to achieve from going digital – and stick to it.

Commit to a vision

Keep an eye on your millennial customers. Using technology in everyday life is second nature to them. Develop technology solutions now to meet the needs of your future customers – and keep pace with your future competition.

Understand your future customers

Take a look at how your current and target customers use digital platforms. This will help you identify the right digital solutions needed to reach them.

Map out the digital journey

Involve all of your employees by setting up a working group of digital champions. This will help secure ‘buy-in’ across business areas. The working group can collaborate on the delivery timeline, maintain project schedules and keep their teams updated on progress.

Set up a digital working group

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Research the appropriate, industry-specific software and IT tools for your digital business. From accounting, inventory management, point-of-sale, payroll and more – there are literally hundreds of applications that can help your business. These feature data security, mobile access, real-time reporting and integration to help make for a smooth and seamless transition.

Invest in the right tools

Turn to the right SaaS (Software as a Solution) platform to better use and manage your import-ant business data. SaaS tools that talk to each other on one platform can eliminate manual data entry – and that means more time for you to run your business. SaaS providers also have the highest levels of security, so you can rest assured that all of your information is in safe hands.

Embrace a SaaS platform

Demonstrate your bold leadership by making tough decisions. Know what something can and can’t do and, more importantly, its place within your digital transformation strategy. If this requires you to write-off non-performing investments in old systems and software - take the plunge.

Cut your losses

Keep track of how your digital initiatives impact your numbers. Compare to your original goals and reflect on whether your approach is consistenly helping you achieve the best results.

Measure results

Train your team to ensure that your employees have the skills, knowledge and experience to get the most out of your digital strategy.

Share your new knowledge

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Co-hosted by Xero and TradeGecko, the SME Success event series is designed to help Singa-pore SMEs get the most out of working in the cloud. The events will tackle the basics such as simple online tools and techniques to get you started, and will cover everything small businesses need to know to get your business digital over the course of the series.

To learn of upcoming events, follow the event series page at xerotradegecko.peatix.com.

About the SME Success series