The Cost of Not Digitalizing Your Business Processes

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the importance of digitalization cannot be overstated. The digital transformation of business processes is no longer a luxury but a necessity for long-term sustainability and competitiveness. Failing to embrace this transformation carries substantial costs that can impact a business's bottom line, customer satisfaction, and overall growth potential.  

1. Avoid Process Errors and Wasted Time

One of the most immediate costs of not digitalizing business processes is the inefficiency it introduces. Manual processes are time-consuming and error-prone. Employees spend valuable hours on repetitive tasks that include manual activities. Many of these could be automated, diverting their attention to more strategic and creative activities. The result is wasted resources and a failure to maximize the productivity potential of your workforce. 

Digitalizing these processes through a business process automation tool streamlines operations reduces human error, and enhances efficiency. For example, automating data entry or document management can free employees to focus on tasks requiring critical thinking and problem-solving. Inefficiency can lead to increased labor costs, missed opportunities, and a decline in customer satisfaction as service delivery lags behind competitors who have embraced digitalization.

*Based upon analysis of ‘obvious’ processes in organizations, the average efficiency wastage amongst our clients is 36% (a low of 15% and a high of over 60%).  

2. Only One Thing Worse Than No Data – Reporting Using Inaccurate Data!

Manual processes are highly susceptible to errors. Transcribing data by hand or relying on paper-based systems can lead to data inaccuracy, which, in turn, can have severe repercussions. Incorrect data can result in shipping errors, billing discrepancies, and inaccurate financial reporting. These mistakes not only cost money but also damage your reputation. These can be further compounded by making decisions on new projects based on inaccurate reporting from previous projects.

Digital solutions provide robust data validation and verification mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of errors. Moreover, digital records are easily accessible and less susceptible to physical loss or damage. In the event of data loss due to accidents or disasters, businesses without digital backups may face irreversible losses. This loss of critical information can hinder decision-making, disrupt operations, and increase recovery costs.

Stop Delaying Digitization

3. Continuity As Employees Come and Go

Staff come and go within any organization. The days of long-term tenure in the same company are eroding with every generation. So how do you get your new people to adhere to your methods from day one – digital processes. The step-by-step guide to activities within your organization.

We like to call it ‘experience in a box.’ Your best practices as verified by your best people, all digitalized and ready for the next new employee to use.

The ROI on employing people is faster as they are up to speed faster. No more “Who do I go to for x, y or z…??”,“What do I do now…?” etc.

4. Do Not Forget Your Customers (internal ones also…)

In today's digital age, customers expect seamless and convenient interactions with businesses. Failing to digitalize customer-facing processes can lead to a subpar customer experience, eroding customer satisfaction and loyalty. For example, manual order processing can result in delays, leading to frustrated customers who may turn to competitors offering faster, automated services.

Additionally, digitalization enables businesses to gather and analyze customer data, providing insights that can be used to personalize offerings and improve the overall customer experience. Without access to these insights, businesses risk falling behind competitors who are more adept at meeting customer expectations. The cost of losing customers due to a poor digital experience can be significant, as acquiring new customers is often more expensive than retaining existing ones.

5. Your Competitors Are Already Ahead of You – Time to Catch Up

So doing nothing maintains the wasted time and money that currently exist, which is okay, as long as all your peers also remain inefficient and do nothing. In today's hypercompetitive business environment, staying ahead of the competition is crucial. Businesses that fail to digitalize their processes risk becoming obsolete as competitors leverage technology to gain a competitive edge. The options are clear - digitalization allows for faster response times, better decision-making, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Standing still means you stay slow and cannot adapt at the same pace.

There is an added bonus, businesses that embrace digitalization often have the advantage of lower operational costs, which can lead to more competitive pricing or higher profit margins. Without these cost efficiencies, businesses may struggle to maintain competitiveness, potentially leading to decreased market share and revenue losses.

We like to say that the efficiencies garnered from digitalization give you choices. Do I just profit from the added efficiencies or use it to expand? Luxury choices.

6. Regulatory Requirements – Embrace Them

Many industries are subject to strict regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines and legal consequences. Manual record-keeping and reporting increase the likelihood of non-compliance, as human errors can go unnoticed until it is too late.

Digitalizing processes allows for real-time monitoring and reporting, reducing the risk of regulatory violations. Compliance audits take so much longer without a digitalized record of activities. Failing to digitalize and comply with industry regulations can lead to costly legal battles, damaged reputation, and the loss of customers who value businesses that prioritize compliance and data security.

7. Open New Opportunities

The digital transformation of business processes not only enhances efficiency but also unlocks new growth opportunities. Data analytics, for example, can reveal valuable insights into market trends, customer behavior, and emerging opportunities. Businesses that fail to digitalize may miss out on these insights, hindering their ability to make informed strategic decisions and capitalize on evolving market conditions.

Furthermore, partnerships and collaborations with other businesses often require streamlined digital processes for seamless integration. Failing to meet these digital requirements can limit your ability to form beneficial partnerships, potentially stalling growth, and expansion initiatives.  

8. What About The Planet

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, not digitalizing your business processes can have a negative impact on your sustainability efforts. Paper-based processes contribute to deforestation, consume energy for printing and transportation, and generate waste. These practices not only harm the environment but also signal to stakeholders that your business is not committed to sustainable practices. 

Digitalization reduces paper usage, lowers energy consumption, and minimizes waste - these are just some of the benefits of business process automation. Embracing eco-friendly practices can not only attract environmentally conscious customers but also reduce costs associated with paper and physical storage. 

In conclusion, the cost of not digitalizing your business processes extends far beyond the immediate financial implications. Inefficiency, data inaccuracy, poor customer experiences, competitive disadvantages, compliance risks, missed growth opportunities, and environmental impacts can all take a toll on your business. To remain competitive, agile, and sustainable in today's digital world, embracing BPA software is not just an option; it is a necessity. The upfront investment in digitization will ultimately save your business from the substantial costs of remaining in the analog past.

*Efficiency Wastage is a calculation of time to money value including the percentage of potential extra work completed in saved time. 

Try FlowForma Process Automation Today

Why not take the first step today by taking a free 14 day trial of the FlowForma Process Automation tool! Our process experts can offer you a glimpse of what your processes would look like in digital format and the time and cost savings expected by moving your business processes online.