Business

Embrace a digital future – for Northern Ireland’s sake

Many today would be horrified at the sight of an outdated telephone system
Many today would be horrified at the sight of an outdated telephone system Many today would be horrified at the sight of an outdated telephone system

WHILE Brexit, the Stormont election all the fears associated with a new US Trump administration will all play an important role in Northern Ireland’s business future, one thing is certain – technology and innovation will continue to be most important factors in determining our success.

Who we communicate with, how, when, and with what frequency will still determine success in generating leads, keeping in touch – and even getting paid.

But without a strong business communications infrastructure in place which accurately fits business need and is developed with commitment, growth ambition in mind, few businesses will realise their full potential.

It’s 2017, and in Northern Ireland, it’s a millennial world. Our current and next generation of present and future employees already have a clear expectation of how to communicate – and they’re not afraid to experiment. They know what works and what doesn’t.

Growing up in an era of internet-on-the-go mobile phones and Ipads, many are horrified at the sight of an aging PC, outdated telephone systems or a snail-like internet speed which would make anyone frustrated.

It’s 2017 and it’s time to do things differently. We’ve advanced, and we’re advancing, but the world is moving fast and we must move more quickly. Whatever your line of business, communications and digital transformation isn’t a luxury. It’s imperative.

Even the best product, the best service or idea can be doomed to failure if you don’t get enough leads and convert sales – and how we do that today has changed beyond recognition in less than a decade.

Ofcom reveals that more than two thirds of people in Northern Ireland now own a tablet and half of all adults use instant messaging. Internet users spend a staggering 19 hours a week on the internet, while almost nine out of 10 internet users consider it ‘important’ to their daily lives. We’re also on the move – seven out of 10 adults here use their mobile to access the web.

There’s no doubt that the internet has changed our lives, how we work and how and when we do it, but how we apply this knowledge and use it to benefit our business goals is the real key to success.

The good news is that technological advancements and a competitive market means the best digital and telecommunications infrastructure is well within reach – and in most cases, deployment can lead to significant savings.

Knowing what you want to achieve from your business, the targets you want to reach and how you want to reach them have already put you on a course for success, but realising and embracing the technology potential of what is now easily available and achievable can provide a baseline underpinning of these plans to maximise success.

There are immediate practical benefits. Free up heaving network space by accessing company files out of the office from the cloud, agree mobile roaming deals which mean you can do business anywhere at any time without fear of cost or inconvenience or maintain your company’s social media strategy at any time you choose by using a solid, reliable supplier that has your best interest at heart.

Ernst & Young recently concluded that today, the digitisation of everything is a step change even greater than internet, primarily because of its scale and pace of change, and, like them, we believe that those who act holistically, and act now, stand to gain the greatest competitive advantage. The time to review your activity and act decisively is now.

:: Eric Carson is director of Northern Ireland’s largest independent business telecom providers Rainbow (www.rainbowcomms.com) and has been a pioneer of the local telecoms industry for nearly 20 years