We’ve talked about digital partnerships before, where a company such as Sapere works in tandem with an existing IT department, adding an extra layer of skills and expertise.
But one question you may be wondering is if your company would actually benefit from a partnership such as this.
The answer is – and you’ll no doubt be thinking that we would say this – in most cases, yes.
No matter the size of your firm, there are many ways in which entering into a digital partnership can support your work – the only thing you’ll really need to bring is the commitment to change.
If you’re a one-man band, or just a couple of people, a partnership can help as it means you can benefit from expertise without spending time and money you may not have on a full-time member of staff.
However, if you’re a bigger company, even one with its own IT department, it can also work for you, providing you with a specialism that you don’t have internally.
That’s because working with a partner in this way is not about upsetting or replacing what’s already there; it’s more about complementing what you already have.
Who is a digital partnership for?
In a nutshell, anyone looking to digitise. So that’s any business that’s struggling with the usual inefficient processes or paper-driven systems.
However, customers that have already digitised are also promising prospects because they understand the benefit and are looking to add even more of that value to the business, but they may not want to bring in an individual on a full-time basis.
What does the business need to know before it starts?
There are three things the ideal candidate will have before they embark on a digital partnership.
Firstly, they need an appreciation of what the partnership entails; secondly, they need to understand that there is a need there; thirdly, they need to be aware of the amount of effort they need to put in from their side. It’s not just us doing everything, and there needs to be as much pulling in their direction as us helping them along the way.
We always enter into partnerships for the long-haul, but there needs to be a commitment on both sides, or it’s not going to work.
Clients sometimes underestimate how much time and effort they need to invest in the process and, unfortunately, if we don’t get that commitment, it’s not going to work. If we don’t get a good feel from the start, then we’re not afraid to tell clients that; otherwise, they’re wasting their investment, which is no good for them or us.
How much of an investment, exactly?
One of the most common concerns people have about entering into a digital partnership is the cost – and we can understand that.
However, we would always advise starting small, which has both cost and project benefits.
In fact, it’s the ideal way to launch the partnership, allowing both parties to get a good feel for how you both work and what the client needs. By starting small, everyone reaps the benefit of it and then you scale up and that’s the start of a successful partnership.
Obviously, it is always going to be more expensive to bring in an external resource but look at it this way – you’re bringing in many years of experience and expertise.
If you employed one person to handle all your digital needs, then you need to manage them, and you’ve got to understand how to manage software. And unless you’re a software engineer yourself, you’re not going to understand what they’re producing or if it’s any good.
Working with a company like ourselves on a partnership basis allows you to benefit from a full team’s expertise and experience, as well as all of our quality assurances and a proven track record.
Looking at it this way, the cost should be calculated as the amount of expertise you’re getting for that day rate, not as simply an expense – ultimately, you’re investing in the future of your company.
Want to learn more?
If you’re considering a digital partnership, the first thing to do is get in touch and we can talk it through. Sometimes, what you think you need is not what you need at all, and we always start any project with a detailed consultation period to find out what you want and how it can be achieved.
Get in touch with the team on 01642 955645 or email sales@sapere.co.uk and see what we could do for you.