SMBs need help with digital skill gap
Mike Smith comments on the need for businesses to foster digital skills in 2015
The development of digital skills in growing and established businesses is a hot topic for 2015, particularly in the run-up to the election.
Our research has shown that small businesses are missing out on a possible £3.8bn in revenue simply because they are not fully utilising technology.
This presents a huge opportunity. Whether it's attracting new customers, engaging existing customers, or building brand awareness, having the right technology and the skills to use it is essential.
In autumn we polled 1,000 UK SMBs. One in four respondents predicted zero growth for their business over the next six months.
Those figures suggested that the recovery was not filtering down to smaller businesses, but I feel that 2015 will represent a change in attitudes.
There are 4.9m small businesses in the UK, which represent a huge number of votes. Efforts to court the small business vote are already evident and will only increase with a major political event on the horizon.
Digital skills and digital enablement, such as the extension to the Superconnected Cities scheme announced in the Autumn Statement, are tools for both government and opposition parties here.
But it isn't just about politicians. Specialist support for small businesses was evident in 2014 and I expect this phenomenon to boom in 2015.
As tech continues to revolutionise aspects of our lives, SMBs will be seeking related skills. Technology will start to be seen as an investment; one that can drive innovation.
It can also help build a business that is dynamic and able to adapt to market needs.
Businesses and government, therefore, need to work together to bridge the gap between those doing technology well, and those that need more support.
The UK already has a very strong tech infrastructure, so let's make sure we use it properly to prepare today's businesses for the jobs of the future.
Mike Smith is head of SME at Virgin Media Business