We Present 10 Tools for Rapid Business Digitalization, for Inspiration and First-Hand Experiences Come to the Digital (R)evolution

Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs are an extremely important part of the economy, both in Croatia and in all developed economies – in 2022, there were 150,846 entrepreneurs operating in Croatia, of which 404 were large, while the others were micro, small, and medium-sized entrepreneurs. They collectively had more than 726 thousand employees last year and generated 80.4 billion euros in revenue (606.4 billion kuna).

It is crucial for every country that this part of the economy is agile, creative, and propulsive. Therefore, it poses a significant danger to the entire economy if this segment lags behind in technology usage compared to competitors in other European Union countries. According to the latest Eurostat data, domestic companies are even lagging in the use of business information ERP systems (according to Eurostat, in 2021, 24 percent of companies in Croatia used ERP systems compared to an EU average of 38 percent). We are also lagging in the application of business cloud services (Croatia is at 39 percent, at the lower end of the EU rankings), with 7-8 percent of domestic companies in the lower tier for web sales, 23 percent of companies using IoT, and 9 percent using artificial intelligence.

We must not take these data lightly, as multiple studies have confirmed that companies that invest early in business digitalization ultimately achieve better business results. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), companies that have invested in their digital future have experienced numerous long-term benefits, including better communication with clients and easier access to new markets. Additionally, a study by American Express Business and Dell Technologies revealed that small businesses that prioritized digital transformation recorded double revenue growth compared to those with low investments in this area.

The largest domestic business conference for knowledge exchange on successful examples of digitalization in business

The digital gap of small and medium-sized companies in Croatia has also been confirmed by the recently published Report on the State of the Digital Decade for 2023 by the European Commission. The EC warns that the lagging of this significant part of the domestic economy relates to the use of artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and big data. The European Commission suggests that the most effective way to raise awareness among small and medium-sized companies about the benefits of using digital business solutions is through workshops, training, and other forms of knowledge exchange.

With this in mind, the HUP Association of Information and Communication Activities (ICT) has launched, and this year continues to organize the Digital (R)evolution, the largest domestic business conference for knowledge exchange on successful examples of digitalization in business. The conference will take place on November 28 at the Mozaik event center (formerly Hypo center) and will gather more than 700 entrepreneurs from all sectors of the economy and parts of Croatia, showcasing a large number of successful digitalization examples from various sectors and companies of different sizes. It is important to emphasize that the Digital (R)evolution is not about technology; it does not speak in engineering language but in the language of employers and everyday examples where technology can assist entrepreneurs. Everyone can obtain free tickets for the conference through the Entrio platform.

“To accelerate digitalization, it is crucial to raise awareness of the irreversible changes that technology brings to business while simultaneously reducing entrepreneurs’ resistance to using new technologies. We believe that we can best achieve this by presenting successful projects that have been implemented in other companies and sharing knowledge and experiences of those successful in digitalization. Digitalization does not have to be expensive nor is it a journey into the unknown; on the other hand, it is quite certain that if someone does not embark on this path, they cannot remain competitive and survive in the market. Everyone who attends the conference will certainly receive concrete and useful information, as well as inspiration for using modern technologies in their business,” says Ivan Maglić, program director of the Digital (R)evolution.

Therefore, HUP-ICT invites all entrepreneurs to take the time to attend the Digital (R)evolution and to obtain free tickets for the conference through the Entrio platform.

Ten Tools for Business Digitalization

Until the conference, all entrepreneurs can discover numerous available tools that can be easily implemented to enhance and accelerate their business. For greater strides in business through technology, learn first-hand at the Digital (R)evolution conference, and until then, we present a list of ten useful groups of tools for every entrepreneur.

1. Project Management Software

Project management platforms can be of great help if you coordinate multiple clients simultaneously. This technology for small businesses tracks activities, tasks, deadlines, and meetings, allowing for better time management.

2. Email Marketing Tools

Email marketing solutions offer a simple and quick way to inform users about the latest events in the company, as well as any special offers or promotions the company is running, and they also assist in creating automated newsletters for social media.

3. Digital Signature

These tools assist in signing agreements and contracts. Recipients receive documents for signature in their virtual mailboxes after you send them and enter their email addresses. Most of these tools also allow you to set a deadline for signing.

4. Accounting Software

Online accounting software performs most tasks that an accountant would carry out, including recording income and expenses, issuing invoices, submitting expense reports, and creating records necessary for filing tax returns.

5. Password Tracking Tool

Numerous websites and platforms require a password, making it not always easy to keep track of different combinations of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. To avoid having to remember them or, worse, write them down on paper, we suggest implementing a password management tool. They are extremely secure, and access requires only one main password.

6. Website Analytics Solution

It is imperative to understand who visits the company’s website and which sections attract more or fewer visitors. Website analytics tools provide insights into this data and offer the ability to adjust and improve the website as needed.

7. CRM

CRM software is a critical tool for small businesses. It provides project managers with a centralized repository for tracking, measuring, and managing all customer touchpoints and outreach. It can provide customer information, purchase information, and business status.

8. HR Management

Only a few small businesses can afford a human resources manager, which is why it is good to have human resources management software. Such software handles a wide range of services, including payroll processing and distribution of critical business notifications.

9. Communication Tools

As your company grows, relying on email and phone calls can become inefficient. Real-time file sharing and messaging are features of modern digital communication and collaboration tools. These features make collaboration with team members, clients, and other stakeholders much more effective.

10. Data Storage

Human error and accidental data loss are common threats faced by project managers. Such mistakes can have many negative consequences, including loss of productivity, stalled initiatives, and financial loss. In the event of an incident, you can quickly restore your data thanks to backup software.