No automation, no fun: enjoying your digitalisation

That’s right: today’s title is meant to be fun. Because that is what this is about – having fun with digitalisation. No hidden agenda here. And in essence, that is the decisive factor: how you approach the matter, take up this challenge and step into this truly wonderful world.

My view is that topics like this really can be fun. For the person who gets things going, that is you as the business owner, and for the consumer or customer. Just give this idea a chance.

If you enjoy the work and the topic, even things that look complicated at first can be done with real momentum. That alone makes them much easier. Let me give you a few arguments for this.

See yourself as a budding digital master with a knack for automating your processes – because that is what you can really be! Let’s get more specific – and use your own mobile app to show what will be fun for everyone involved.

Fun 1: Where do you want to go today? – New possibilities

With the app builder, you already have 16 modules and feature areas at your disposal. Roughly estimated, that gives you more than 300, if not 1,000, possible combinations and uses. Spoilt for choice? Quite the opposite! As I said, it is up to you and your attitude. See it as a chance to be truly individual and really good.

You can give free rein to your creative ideas and put together the perfect control centre for your customers’ phones. No – forget perfectionism here. These days it is all about repeated small steps forward, also known as iterations. Playing with the different possibilities means that, while you do pursue a goal, you are primarily looking for a first path. Everything else you will build up bit by bit, above all with the help of feedback from your users and staff.

Besides the usual basic information, create a first concrete path for your users. That could be table reservations for your restaurant, mobile ordering for the much sought-after products of your souvenir shop, or the best recipes from your cookery studio in the town centre of Wanne-Eickel.

Fun 2: Everything a little easier and more relaxed

That brings us to the next point. The aim is always to give your customers at least one clear digital benefit. As in the examples above, it can still be thoroughly down-to-earth. Because even that gets your customers using your products more easily and makes it easier to approach them again.

But it gets even better: depending on the features you use, it also simplifies your own processes as a business owner, because the standardisation this brings takes manual steps off your hands.

For example, you no longer have to lend “a hand and an ear” to phone orders as much as before. Fewer explanations, fewer repetitions, and change requests handled faster because they are processed digitally. What you are left with is more time for your business, for your visions and innovations – whatever else you are planning and doing.

Fun 3: Sit back: how your business spreads “as if by magic”

As you gradually add further features, there will be times when your digital app project seems to take on a life of its own. Incidentally, the same will happen with your communication with existing and new customers.

The user numbers show you that your app is being used, and at best it shifts revenue in many places across your business – and, of course, creates new revenue. Not to mention that you will notice how much time is suddenly available, time you can use intelligently and purposefully.

Fun 4: Getting input and getting better: customer feedback

With everything you happily put into practice with the aim of benefiting everyone involved, customer feedback is of course essential. To get it, you need to remember that your customers are people first and consumers second. For you, that means: spark enthusiasm and turn your target groups into your fans.

People want to be part of an interesting story. Let them, take your customers along on your journey and make them part of what you are doing.

In concrete terms, that means giving everyone who is interested a chance to help shape things and take part in the development: simply keep asking for their opinions, ideas and wishes. You will get constructive feedback – and that is worth its weight in gold.

The praise will spur you on and motivate you personally. But critical or even negative comments and feedback can and should also spur you on to keep improving what is there. That way, you not only satisfy and delight your customers but also gain an economic advantage.

Fun 5: Taking manual work off your hands

To finish, in this last point I would like to mention that your mobile solution should not be an end in itself. It is about much more: about you and your work on your business. That’s right – not in it, but on it. Because visions, development and growth take time.

In the medium and long term, your mobile app takes work off your hands and creates the room you need to move forward. That alone is fun, but it will also give you an economic advantage and so even more joy. With these thoughts in mind, you will set off on the right path.

All this should at least shake your previous thinking on the subject, if you still doubted that automating made sense and saw it as a burden. It isn’t one – you can look forward to these changes!

We wish you every success in putting your fun plans into practice.

Give us a like or an interesting comment on the topic – we look forward to your input!