Digitalisation is an issue that is here to stay. Optimisation is an ongoing process, and new software solutions and applications are constantly emerging. But how do you find the right solution in this sea of possibilities?
The conversion of analogue values into digital formats
In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, it is becoming ever more apparent that there are two camps – established companies and start-ups. For start-ups, the old way of thinking is simply inconceivable. The time has now come for companies with an old-fashioned mindset to engage more closely with the issue of digitalisation.
Tax advisers are often viewed by clients merely as a cost centre. A further risk arises when clients overtake firms in terms of digitalisation. This leads to a situation where clients are telling tax consultancy firms which direction they need to take. If the firms do not engage intensively with this issue, clients will look for new tax advisers who are already further along in their digitalisation.
If law firms are more digitally advanced than their clients, they shouldn’t get frustrated by the lack of digitalisation. In that case, they should change the way they interact with their clients. Perhaps they haven’t yet found the right approach to supporting their clients with digitalisation.
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Is a tool the answer?
For staff who are already familiar with process-based thinking, a tool could be part of the solution. However, staff often think, „We need a tool for A, B, C“. There are many software solutions, concepts and models that can support a business. In this sea of possibilities, it’s easy to lose one’s way. The expectation that the solution will be a perfect 100% fit for the business is the last to die. Solutions are rarely tailor-made to fit a company perfectly. That is why it is important to be aware of this and not to search for the Holy Grail. The selection process can, for example, be compared using a pros and cons list, enabling the best possible decision to be made.
In many processes, there are people who have not been brought on board digitally at all. A company must ensure that they are also brought on board and follow the shared vision.
The key mindset is not to be content with day-to-day business, but to think outside the box.
Investment in the ongoing professional development of staff
In many companies, management is unaware of the various talents their staff possess. These talents could be nurtured through staff appraisals. Often, the solution may come from another department because an employee there is interested in the subject.
In many law firms, staff are not supported in their professional development; instead, they are seen merely as a means of generating billable hours. They are viewed as positions from which profit can be made. However, staff greatly value professional development. A company that provides opportunities for ongoing professional development not only ensures a happy workforce, but also increases the human capital within the organisation.
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