intelligent
// EDITOR ’ S QUESTION ?
CHRIS SPRATLING , FOUNDER OF CHALKHILL BLUE CONSULTANTS
T he beginning of 2022 feels like the start of a new chapter for many companies . There will be challenges ahead , but they ’ re more likely to be ones leaders are used to dealing with , such as boosting profitability and attracting staff . In doing so , they ’ re going to need the right software . The question is , what should take priority ?
1
Enterprise Resource Planning
The first challenge on the horizon is the need to increase organisational profitability . This calls for insight and data about the way businesses operate so processes can be improved . Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) software can support this by showing how all resources and functions fit together , spanning finance , supply chain , manufacturing , sales , distribution and more . Acumatica and Epicor are good places to look .
2
Accounting and forecasting
Strengthening cashflow is a major priority for businesses . Central to this is strong financial management software , which includes accounting and invoicing to help you pay bills , invoice , manage expenses , connect to bank accounts , run payroll and accept
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THE FIRST
CHALLENGE ON THE HORIZON IS THE NEED TO INCREASE ORGANISATIONAL PROFITABILITY . payments . QuickBooks and Dext are wellknown vendors .
3
Sales and marketing
Accessing and exploiting new customers and markets has been highlighted as an area for attention . This calls for strategic planning to find new markets with few or no competitors . Once identified , marketing , sales , customer service and CRM software is vital . Freshsales and Zendesk could help .
4
Productivity
Boosting productivity has always been a challenge for UK businesses . The pandemic has taught us how to use software such as Teams and Zoom . Firms need to expand their use to take advantage of things like Microsoft 365 which can offer productivity scores and ways of helping teams collaborate – wherever they are . Other choices include Asana , Monday and Slack .
5
Talent management
It ’ s no secret that the UK is going through one of the biggest skills shortages for years . Investing in talent management software is important for larger firms . This enables HR to track and manage the recruitment , development and performance of employees and candidates . Smaller businesses should focus on partnering with the major recruitment platforms to cast their nets as widely as possible . Try Job Site or Indeed .
While technology is only as good as the business and people using it , armed with the correct tools , firms can face the future with confidence and thrive . �
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ACCESSING AND EXPLOITING NEW CUSTOMERS AND MARKETS HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED AS AN AREA FOR ATTENTION .
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