LeanBPI, a digital growth consultancy for SMEs and micro-enterprises, has announced the launch of its Digital Readiness Assessment in collaboration with Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).
The Limerick-based company will conduct the assessment to provide a clear evaluation of the digital readiness of decision-makers at small businesses.
Companies will be assessed on a number of key factors relating to their approach to digital, change and growth such as optimism, innovation, discomfort and insecurity.
In doing so, LeanBPI will provide companies with a digital readiness profile, ranging from ‘Explorer’ to ‘Avoider’, to enable businesses to make plans to effectively integrate digital tools and strategies into their operations.
LeanBPI has partnered with LEOs in Tipperary, Offaly, Mayo, Longford, Leitrim and Cavan to roll out Digital Readiness Assessments.
Collectively, microenterprises employ 28% of the workforce and contribute 16% to Ireland’s Gross Value Added (GVA), but often lack in-house skills and budgets required for digital transformation.
“Microenterprises make up far more of our national workforce and contribute far more to our economy than people are aware of, but many of them are not realising their full potential due to a lack of digital systems,” said John O’Shanahan, managing director of LeanBPI.
“By helping small businesses to make the most of the opportunities presented by technology, we are modernising microenterprises across Ireland and helping them – and our economy – to flourish.”
Crossogue Preserve worked with LeanBPI through its LEO last year and has seen significant benefits since implementing a digital inventory management system created by LeanBPI.
The Tipperary firm sells more than 250 products through its shop and website and also provides wholesale service to hoteliers, artisan shops and delicatessens.
An annual stocktake, which previously took two of its nine staff two weeks to complete every January, has now been rendered redundant, and the family business is now targeting more direct sales through its website.
“The difference between before and after we started working with John and the team in LeanBPI is night and day,” said Veronica Molly, owner and founder of Crossogue Preserves.
“The amount of stocktaking, paperwork, and waste management that was being done by hand was immense and very labour-intensive.
“With over 250 products, some of which are on a two-year production cycle, having systems to simplify this and help our staff make the most of their time has been invaluable.”
Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins welcomed the roll out of LeanBPI’s Digital Readiness Assessment, and said the the growth of microenterprises is “essential for the Irish economy.”
“It’s encouraging to see real-world impact already, such as the experience by the Tipperary-based Crossogue Preserves through digital transformation,” she continued.
“Initiatives like this are vital for helping small businesses capitalise on technological opportunities, digitise and modernise effectively. These companies are the heart of our communities, and their success is vital to our economy.”
Photo: (l-r) Emer Higgins and John O’Shanahan. (Pic: Supplied)