Study of South West SMEs use of technology gets underway

Businesses across the South West are being encouraged to take part in a new study to find out how well companies are using technology to boost productivity.

The Technology for Success initiative will give organisations the chance to benchmark their use of technology to support and grow their business and compare it with similar businesses.

Launched by Exeter-based strategy and support technology company Timewade, in partnership with Tech South West, the first part of the study is a 10-minute online survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/techforsuccess for businesses to complete. A Technology for Success business group has also been launched, for businesses keen to get involved with more detailed discussions around key business technology learnings, trends and opportunities.

The findings, combined with additional research including interviews with some of the region’s most successful companies, will form the basis of Devon’s first Technology for Success report, shared with all those taking part and the wider business community. 

Julian Wills, Managing Director of Timewade, based at Exeter Airport Business Park, said: “Every company needs to see themselves as a tech company in terms of how they integrate technology into their strategic vision as much as their day-to-day operations. Technology touches every aspect of an organisation, from how it is set up within a business and how it best supports working with customers, clients, suppliers and partners, to developing products and services, managing data and securing new business. 

“The aim of Technology for Success is to give business leaders valuable insights into what they and other companies are doing now, how things will shift in the next five years and what are the potential opportunities to improve their use of technology to benefit their business.”

Focusing on areas including the use of technology within a business, the skills of employees and its role supporting a company’s overall strategy, the study also allows participants to take the ‘Tech for Success’ Barometer challenge to find out just how ‘techy’ they and their company are.

As well as learnings from the report, companies taking part in the survey will be able to compare their technology profile with similar types of businesses to see how well they are performing, identify areas to improve and potential opportunities to use technology more effectively.

The results will also be used by Tech South West as part of a project to understand what learnings non-tech sector organisations can take from technology and digital firms in the region.

Toby Parkins, Chair of Tech South West, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Timewade in this study. Technology combined with great people and a bold business strategy can really drive performance. The study is an opportunity to see the importance that business leaders put on utilising both current and emerging technologies, and just how embedded use of technology is within their own strategies for growth.”

The survey is being distributed by key organisations including Exeter Chamber, Devon Chamber, Tech South West, Devon County Council Economy Team and Fast Track to Growth.

Companies can take the survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/techforsuccess

and can find out more about the business group at: www.timewade.com/techforsuccessbusinessgroup