Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

Digital transformation strategy is more than just a buzzword; it has become an imperative for businesses to not just survive, but also thrive in the modern economy. The food and beverage industry is no exception to this trend. With the rapid pace of technological advancements and constantly evolving consumer demands, businesses operating in this sector must keep up with these changes to remain relevant and competitive.

This can include transforming their operational processes, adopting new technologies to enhance their customer experience, and exploring new ways to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers. By embracing digital transformation strategy, businesses can unlock new opportunities, improve their bottom line, and ultimately, secure their place in the market for years to come.

However, how do you implement a digital transformation strategy in your company? 

 

Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

  1. Define Your Goals and Strategy
  2. Evaluate Your Business Processes
  3. Finding the Right Digital Transformation Partner

Step 1. Define Your Goals and Strategy

Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

Defining your goals and strategy is essential before embarking on any digital transformation project. What do you want to achieve through digital transformation? Is it to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or enhance the customer experience? Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you can develop a strategy that aligns with them.

It is important to set a realistic plan from the start and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Additionally, establish methods of communication to provide feedback and keep everyone informed. Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) can also help track progress and ensure that goals are being achieved.

A common mistake to avoid is relying on third-party companies to develop your digital transformation strategy. No one knows your internal issues and problems better than you do. Therefore, it is best to evaluate your business processes with internal help. By being part of the project team, they can quickly provide feedback on what may make the process inefficient or add dissatisfaction to the experience.

Step 2. Evaluate Your Business Processes.

Digital Transformation Strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

A Digital transformation strategy is an ongoing process that requires a comprehensive evaluation of your current business processes. It’s not just about implementing new technology; it’s about using technology to improve your existing processes. By closely examining your current processes, you can identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks that could be improved with digitization. You can work with internal stakeholders, such as your team and colleagues, to ensure that any changes made will work effectively on a day-to-day basis.

In addition to identifying areas that could benefit from digitisation, you can also use this evaluation to identify areas of your business that could benefit from automation or optimisation. For example, you may find that certain manual tasks can be automated to save time and improve accuracy. Or, you may identify areas where data analysis can be used to optimise operations and improve decision-making.

Overall, evaluating your business processes is a critical step in achieving successful digital transformation. By taking a holistic approach and involving internal stakeholders, you can identify areas for improvement and implement changes that will drive greater efficiency and productivity in your business.

Step 3. Finding the Right Digital Transformation Partner.

Digital Transformation strategy in Food and Beverage: Where to Start?

Selecting the right partner for your digital transformation strategy project can be critical to its success. Therefore, invest time in researching potential partners as soon as you identify your goals and strategy. Start by looking at their website to get a feel for their services and areas of expertise. Then, consider speaking with their existing customers to better understand their experiences and satisfaction working with the partner.

Note that big digital transformation companies on the market do not always equate to successful transformation. Instead, search for software providers who have worked in the same industry as yours and know all your pain points. Small agencies can provide a better solution for your company and improve the processes you identified for digitisation.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, a digital transformation strategy is a necessary step for food and beverage companies to remain competitive and meet the ever-changing demands of consumers. To ensure a successful digital transformation project, it is important to define clear goals and strategies, evaluate current business processes, and select the right partner for the project. By taking these steps, companies can unlock new opportunities, improve their operational efficiency, and ultimately secure their place in the market for years to come.

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3 Processes To Automate in Food and Beverage in 2023

3 Processes To Automate in Food and Beverage in 2023

Automation is a significant trend in modern workplaces, and it is becoming even more prevalent in 2023.

As technology advances, more Food and Beverage businesses are turning to automation to improve their efficiency and productivity. However, implementing automation can be a daunting task for many companies, especially when they are unsure of what they need and where to start.

While some large manufacturers have successfully implemented various technologies and seen significant benefits, it is important to note that automation is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

To ensure success, it requires a thorough understanding of the company’s goals and a cultural shift within the organisation to support the process. This article on cloud adoption explains how organisational culture alignment is essential for post-implementation success.

So, if you are considering implementing automation in your Food and Beverage company, where do you start?

The first step is to identify your goals and eliminate any processes that are not directly related to your products or services. This helps you focus on the areas of your business that can benefit the most from automation.

By streamlining these processes, you can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and ultimately increase profits. Additionally, it is important to consider the potential impact on your employees and how to involve them in the process to ensure a smooth transition.

Let’s check these processes that can improve your profit if automated correctly.

 

3 processes to automate in Food and Beverage in 2023:

  • Visualise Your Customer Data
  • Streamline Order Management
  • Empower Customer Services

Visualise Your Customer Data.

3 Processes To Automate in Food and Beverage in 2023.

In 1921, Frederick R. Barnard said, “A picture tells a thousand words.” This still holds true today, where data visualisation is considered one of the most efficient tools to speed up business decisions.

With the rise of technology, Food and Beverage businesses are collecting more customer data than ever before. However, this can lead your Customer Service team to information overload, which makes it harder to understand the progress of the business or make swift decisions when needed.

That’s where Data Management software comes in. Tools such as Data Management or Business Intelligence (BI) allow you to easily get an overview of customer information, understand which tasks slow down the work of other departments, and identify negative trends you should be aware of.

By having a more detailed and thorough understanding of the data, you can make more informed decisions that positively impact the business. In other words, data visualisation is not just about making pretty pictures, it’s a critical component of modern business strategy.

Streamline Order Management.

3 Processes To Automate in Food and Beverage in 2023.

Managing food and beverage orders can be a complex and time-consuming task, especially when dealing with scattered information across multiple emails. However, with the power of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), this process can be streamlined, ensuring that all order-related information is stored in one centralised location. By doing so, not only can valuable time be saved, but also the risk of lost emails or misplaced information can be minimised.

One effective way to achieve this streamlined order management is through the utilisation of Order Management Systems (OMS), specifically with the integration of a Procure Wizard plug-in. OMS empowers your customer service team to easily automate and manage orders received from both email inboxes and Procure Wizard, seamlessly integrating them into your ERP system. This automation not only enhances operational efficiency but also significantly improves the overall customer experience, as your team can promptly and accurately address any inquiries related to orders.

The implementation of an Order Management System with a Procure Wizard plug-in proves particularly advantageous for remote teams, enabling independent work and ensuring that all pertinent order information is readily accessible. Even when team members are on vacation or taking time off, the OMS seamlessly facilitates the smooth continuation of order management by allowing others to effortlessly pick up where they left off.

Discover how our esteemed customer, Vegetarian Express, has leveraged the AllSop Order Management Solution to save valuable time by reducing manual order keying.

what is order management, examples of order management

Empower Customer Services.

3 Processes To Automate in Food and Beverage in 2023.

In 2023, as Food and Beverage world becomes more automated, Customer Service teams are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits that automation can bring to their working lives.

For example, statistics show that nearly 70% of customer service employees say the biggest opportunity of automation lies in reducing time wasted on repetitive work associated with manual Order Management. As a result, they are embracing solutions like Order Management, which can help them to streamline their processes and improve their overall efficiency.

Our solution has been designed to deliver for both you and your customers. By reducing data errors, our system ensures that your customers receive accurate and up-to-date information about their orders, which can help to improve their overall satisfaction with your service.

In addition, our system provides your Customer Service team with insights into all the latest information connected to your customers’ orders, giving them the tools they need to provide more personalised and effective service.

Finally, our system also provides easy access to data on stock levels and delivery, helping your team to make informed decisions and manage your inventory more effectively.

Conclusion.

In 2023, Food and Beverage companies will become more open to automation as they start to see the real benefit behind the software.

It is no longer human against a technology battle. Businesses that embrace automation will gain a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. By implementing software solutions to improve processes and help their teams, companies can reduce costs and increase productivity.

This will allow them to reallocate resources towards other areas of their business, such as research and development, marketing and customer experience.

Additionally, automation will enable businesses to gather more data and insights, allowing them to make more informed decisions and improve their overall performance.

In summary, the adoption of automation is not only a necessity but also an opportunity for companies to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in the years to come.

If you want to know the latest technologies that help companies just like yours, we created a newsletter to provide the latest industry news, tips, and resources to help you succeed in your business endeavours.

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Select Digital Transformation Software Provider Carefully

Select Digital Transformation Software Provider Carefully

The Digital Transformation journey is a long and tedious project. Many organisations are considering the change but are afraid to fail or find an incorrect software partner who will drain their resources and never bring any valuable results. Knowing these issues, we prepared a list of tips on how to find the best software company when it comes to Digital Transformation.

Before we go further, we need to understand what is Digital Transformation?

We see Digital Transformation as the process of using digital technologies to create new or modify existing, business processes, culture and customer experiences, to meet changing business and market requirements.

It is a “reimagining of business in the digital age”.

Put simply, it is about looking at what we want to do or are currently doing and seeking to improve that experience using digital technology.

And this is also the why – “seeking to improve”.

We should not do Digital Transformation just because we think we need to appear modern or because someone else is doing it, and we need to stay competitive. These can be valid reasons, but the primary goal of any Digital Transformation project should be to improve – whether that be our processes, our people, our customers, or our planet.

Let’s check these examples that are commonplace for most people nowadays:

eCommerce – allowing buyers to browse and shop items any time, from anywhere
Online banking – from day-to-day banking to applying for loans and mortgages, all without stepping foot in a branch
Streaming services – be it music, TV shows or movies – are all instant and available for rental or purchase 

What are the main areas to pay attention to with Digital Transformation?

1. Do not do Digital Transformation yourself
2. Conduct research on software providers to find the best fit for your organisation
3. Engage with a few companies to understand their approach

These industries have all been disrupted by Digital Transformation. However, they always provide clear improvements for customers allowing them to get what they need from the comfort of their homes. Usually by giving more choice or lower-cost offerings than traditional methods.

It is important to highlight that many organisations have tried to pivot their processes to follow these trends and have failed. The global management consulting firm BCG found that 70% of all Digital Transformations either fail or don’t manage to reach all of their intended goals.

And one of the problems might not be clear to the naked eye, but many organisations do not select and evaluate the correct partners to assist with their Digital Transformation journey.

Do not do Digital Transformation yourself.

In some cases, organisations will try to do it themselves. This is often the wrong choice, as it can mean that you lose focus on what you are already doing daily, which can negatively impact your people and your customers. It also may mean that you try to upskill quickly in new technologies with no previous experience in the field. This means that best practices are usually not followed and can lead to an inefficient result of the resources you have available.

At Allsop, we, by no means, think a Digital Transformation partner should do it all for you either. Instead, we encourage our customers and their staff to upskill and learn as we work on a project together. What we found is often training is a key part of what we deliver, but we encourage it only under the right guidance.

Conduct research to find the best fit for your organisation.

In finding a partner, a lot of organisations will go to market, get quotes, shortlist potential partners, and then review the offerings and make a decision. This is normal, but often a few key steps are overlooked.

You should research potential Digital Transformation partners as early as possible in this process. This could be by reviewing their website to see what other organisations they have worked with and how similar they are to you. If they have only worked with large multinationals, then they may not be the best cultural fit for a micro-organisation; or if all of their customers are hotels, then they may not have experience in processes within a distribution business.

Similarly, look at the types of technology used in the projects they have done before. If they have a lot of eCommerce website experience and you have eCommerce as one of your goals – then they will likely be a better fit than someone who has lots of experience putting accounting systems in.

It is also good to speak to at least 1 or 2 of their existing customers and ask questions about how they find working with this company, why they selected them over others, and what post-project experience they have had with them. These are the questions that only someone else in your shoes can answer, and it will give you a feel for what the engagement might look like rather than just what the project being proposed will be made up of.

Try to find a small engagement to start with.

And when searching for a potential partner, try to find a small engagement to start with. This allows both you and the partner to get to know each other’s working styles, and iron out any uncertainty or issues early. It also means that should you or the partner realise that they are not best suited to meet your requirements, you are not committed to a large project and discovering this further down the track.

At Allsop, we engage on a Foundations project with all new customers, where we encourage design and proof-of-concept work on a project before any development or implementation. There is a tangible result at the end of the Foundations for the customer, but most importantly, it ensures we are both on the same page going into the next stage of the project. It also removes any doubt or unknown technical issues that could cause problems later, and it means there are no surprises when we kick off the main project.

In some cases, during the Foundations, we realise that some or all of what the customer needs is better provided by someone else. We signpost this to the customer, and every time it is the best for both of us. Why? We aren’t engaged on a project that we aren’t going to provide the best value on, and the customer can get a better solution from someone more suited. It is always worth asking a potential partner if you can engage similarly for your first project.

Therefore, when your company is ready to approach Digital Transformation, always remember to complete full research on a software provider. Sometimes companies go for a brand when in reality it is better to go for the offerings and find the best match to your business and end goals.

Digital Transformation IS NOT a ‘One-time’ Project

Digital Transformation IS NOT a ‘One-time’ Project

Customers are at the heart of any business. Therefore, companies go above and beyond to get positive feedback and improve customer service ratings. Hence, some companies employ more staff, others spend time and money on endless training, and only 35% of businesses implemented Digital Transformation in their workplace and already see improvement in Customer Service.

What is Digital Transformation, you may ask?

It can be defined as “the process of using digital technologies to create new, or modify existing, business processes, culture and customer experiences, to meet changing business and market requirements.”

It is a “reimagining of current business processes in the digital age”.

Put simply, it’s about looking at what you want to do or are currently doing, and seeking to improve that experience using digital technology.

And this is also the ‘why’ – “seeking to improve”.

You shouldn’t do Digital Transformation just because you think you need to appear modern, or because someone else is and you need to stay competitive. These can be valid reasons, but the primary goal of any Digital Transformation project should be to improve – whether that be your processes, your people, your customers, and our planet.

Another common mistake we see is when organisations treat Digital Transformation like a one-time project and stay focused on only the end goal they set out originally. Of course, keeping aligned to the end goal is important – but your industry, technology and the world around us are constantly evolving, and as such your goals should be evolving constantly too. Therefore, you need to consider these three tips to get the most out of Digital Transformation.

Digital Transformation is a long-term mindset.

Digital transformation is a long-term mindset, rather than a point project. If you break your goals down into smaller projects, you can then review at the end of each project what went well and what didn’t, and use this to improve your next one.

Review and re-evaluate your goals.

In some cases, through doing this review you might realise that the objectives you set out originally are no longer what you should be aiming for. This could be because you discover something has changed, or you realise there’s a better way to achieve the same end goal. Having these small projects allows you to pivot quickly and react to the changing world around you, without wasting time and resources on something that may become redundant or be inefficient.

Appoint champions of improvement in all areas.

In most projects of any type, there is a project manager who sees the project through to completion, and Digital Transformations are no different. However, with Digital Transformation projects, you also want to ensure you have a champion of improvement as part of the project team. Ideally, this is someone who understands the process that is undergoing Digital Transformation really well but can also fully see the benefit of making the improvements. This will differ from project to project depending on the area you’re looking at – but some examples we have seen of this are:

– A factory worker, who would rather spend time ensuring the machines on the production line is running optimally than filling in the paperwork
– A call centre operative, who would rather be on the phone with customers than typing in order details received via email or fax
– An HR officer, who would rather spend time interviewing and shortlisting candidates than chasing departments to get a new employee onboarded correctly and quickly

In all of these cases, it is the people who will get the benefit from the change day-to-day that have been the champions of improvement. They help those implementing the transformation understand the current or potential pain points. They also ensure that whatever the result is, it will work on a day-to-day basis for them and their colleagues. By being part of the project team, they can also quickly give feedback on what may make the process inefficient or add dissatisfaction to the experience. And because they fully see the long-term benefit, this will be honest feedback which will be invaluable to the wider team in ensuring success.

3 Processes to Automate in a Small Business

3 Processes to Automate in a Small Business

3 Processes to Automate in a Small Business

As a business owner of a small company, you may have limited resources and time to manage your operations. This makes it essential to automate your processes to increase efficiency, reduce errors and save time.

Now, we know what you are thinking. The topic of automation may seem too expensive and advanced. Especially with research from McKinsey showing that only 25% of small businesses automated their processes in 2019.

However, last year automation became more accessible and affordable for small businesses, with statistics showing that 88% of small businesses have automated their processes in 2022. 

You may ask why you need automation in the first place.

Reasons for automation:

1. Data accuracy.

Inaccurate data can lead to various problems, such as incorrect reports, missed opportunities, and unhappy customers. On the other hand, achieving 100% data accuracy can be challenging, especially when relying on manual work as it is prone to mistakes and typos, which can lead to undesirable consequences. However, you can forget about it by automating data entry in your small business.

Moreover, automating data entry can also help you grow your business. For example, one of our customers was able to increase its revenue by 60% without any additional headcount, thanks to order management. By automating their order processes, they were able to work faster and more accurately, which led to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.

2. Time-saving.

Automating processes not only saves time, but also allows employees to work on more important tasks that require their attention. This can help businesses to optimise their workforce and increase productivity.

3. Transparency.

Transparency is a key aspect of any successful business. When you have clean business data, you can make informed decisions based on actual performance metrics. For instance, by utilising Business Intelligence tools, you can truly understand how your business is performing and identify areas that require improvement. Furthermore, with order management, you can access detailed reports at any time in just a few clicks, allowing you to stay on top of your business and make informed decisions that will help you achieve long-term success.

Now that we have identified the main reason behind automation, let’s discuss three critical processes that small businesses should consider automating to improve their operations and customer experience.

3 processes to automate for small businesses:

  • Order management.
  • Customer service.
  • HR processes.

Order Management.

3 Processes to Automate in a Small Business.

Order management is one of the most critical processes for any small business. Automating the data collection and entry process can help reduce errors and improve efficiency. According to Zapier, small companies automate 38% of processes connected to data. It helps them to improve efficiency, data security and collaboration between teams.

With an automated order management system, small businesses can accept and fulfil customer orders quickly and accurately. They can also track the progress of orders, manage inventory, and generate detailed reports. This ensures that orders are delivered on time, customers are satisfied, and the business is profitable.

Customer service.

3 Processes to Automate in a Small Business.

Customer service is essential in any business, but it is especially critical for small ones. Prompt and qualified support is necessary to show commitment to customers. Therefore, automation of order processes, such as order entry, order processing stage and live delivery updates, is essential to provide better customer support in small businesses.

With an automated customer service system, small businesses can provide 24/7 support to their customers. They can handle queries, complaints, and feedback efficiently, ensuring that customers are satisfied with their experience.

For example, one of our customers delivers orders on a daily basis. With hundreds of drivers and a large number of trucks, it became impossible to keep track of all the information, resulting in lost orders or delayed deliveries. To improve their delivery experience, we implemented our Order Management platform, specifically the Delivery Updates feature.

Check how this tool works in our blog post here.

HR processes.

3 Processes to Automate in a Small Business.

Human resources (HR) processes can be time-consuming and overwhelming for small business owners, especially when recruiting someone new. The manual job advertisement, writing down all your notes from endless interviews and trying to catch up with other aspects of the business can take up valuable time.

HR Automation can help small businesses automate their recruiting and onboarding processes. They can receive all their candidates’ information in one place and automatically drill down to the talents they’re interested in. They can also invite candidates for an interview and create reports in a few clicks. The best part is that it’s an inclusive tool as candidates can leave information via voice technology.

Check how it works in the video below.

Conclusion.

No matter how big or small your business, automation of processes is essential in 2023. It can help to save time, reduce errors, and improve customer experience. By automating critical processes such as order management, customer service, and HR processes, small businesses can improve their operations and profitability.

At Allsop Software, we offer a free-of-charge processes audit to help small businesses identify areas of improvement and possible ROI after automating tedious tasks. Book a free call with us today to learn more about how automation can help your business.

If you want to know the latest technologies that help companies just like yours, we created a newsletter to provide the latest industry news, tips, and resources to help you succeed in your business endeavours.

Subscribe to it below, and stay up to date with the latest trends and tips to make sure you’re always ahead of the curve. 

3 Steps to Make Your HR Department Digital Ready

3 Steps to Make Your HR Department Digital Ready

In 2022 the definition of a workplace is somewhat different to just 2 years ago and it won’t change in the near future. The main difference is the possibility of employees to work from anywhere at anytime. Therefore, it is unquestionable that companies must adapt to the new way of working.

However, when it comes to the Digital Transformation of workplaces, one factor remains the same – people are at the heart of these changes. As the connector between employees and your company is the HR Department, the most important question arises – is your HR ready to take the lead in this new reality?

Deloitte research showed an astonishing 56% of HR leaders are being pushed to take on a larger role in driving their organisations toward Digital Transformation. Therefore, we have identified three steps for your business to create a safe environment and make your HR Department digital-ready.

1. Get everyone on board.

Creating a safe and seamless Digital Transformation requires HR and IT teams close collaboration. Teamwork between these two departments will help create an efficient and productive communication model that generates Digital Transformation success.

It may be nearly impossible to engage all members of these two teams in the digital changes. Therefore, identify a group of professionals within these departments that will strategise, create and follow the developments of the Digital Transformation. Besides, include various personnel in the process so that stakeholders, employees and everyone in between could play a part in this organisational change.

2. Transform the onboarding process.

Digital Transformation requires an organisation-wide culture change. If your current employees accept and adapt to the new work approach, make sure to improve the hiring process so that newcomers form new transformational behaviour from day one. How can you implement it?

Create a digital experience and inspire new hires by conducting online interviews, onboarding, orientation etc., being open about transformational changes and showcasing companies’ perspectives on the digital future.

In the video, you can find out how we automated the onboarding process from the recruitment stage so that our employees are aware of digitalisation long before their first day at Allsop.

3. Automate HR Processes.

It is understood that employees are getting used to remote work, new mobile applications and other digital trends your workplace brought in. However, many processes in the HR Department are still completed manually.

According to an EY survey, HR professionals spend about 86% of their time on admin work. Therefore, identifying tedious and repetitive work is the first step in Digital Transformation and rejuvenating your HR professionals.

Any HR employee can point out processes they wish could be improved and may be automated. Hence, with the help of IT, your company might want to consider HR digitisation tools to improve processes and reduce data entry errors.

With Allsop HR Automation Solution, your HR Department will confidently forget about manual admin work and will be able to utilise their spare time on improving employee engagement.

Conclusion.

In 2023 companies will continue digitalising their workplaces meaning you either need to accept the change or see how your employees leave for more exciting opportunities on the market.

Therefore, if you want to understand and improve your processes, book a call with us to receive a free-of-charge processes audit ?

From this exercise, you will receive:

✓ Full overview of your processes

✓ Identified areas of improvement

✓ Possible ROI after automating tedious tasks

Sounds good? Book today ? FREE of cost call.