Have you ever felt like you had too much work to do at your startup and not enough time to work on it?
Entrepreneurs are notoriously time-poor, and having to worry and decide where to delegate their limited time, resources, and cash is likely a major obstacle to productivity.
But a new survey of more than 3,500 small business owners conducted by small business support community Enterprise Nation shows that having access to everything they have to offer in one place – support, resources, training programs and more – is extremely valuable.
Last year, Enterprise Nation launched a one-stop-shop platform in partnership with the Mastercard Strive UK programme to give startups and business owners easy access to digital tools, planning strategies and e-commerce guidance as part of its latest push to boost startup productivity.
Another survey highlighted the need for greater access to digital tools, with 72% saying they have no access to them at all and 36% saying they lack the confidence needed to use them.
Just 12 months after launch, users reported an 11 percent increase in confidence in digital skills, with 12 percent highlighting an increase in confidence in small businesses overall.
The most notable increases in confidence were seen among female (24%) and ethnic minority (17%) founders.
“From business planning and financial management to digital marketing and e-commerce strategy, this comprehensive platform provides entrepreneurs of all backgrounds with the insights and resources to realise their full potential,” said Emma Jones, founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation.
“The report not only describes the One-Stop Shop programme's robust offering, but also highlights the tangible impact it has on participants' confidence and capability levels across all three stages of their business: pre-start, start-up and growth,” Jones added.
The push for digital adoption has continued in recent months, leading to the emergence of tailored training programmes, such as the London E-Business Support Programme, which offers one-to-one digital training sessions.
“Imagine going on a road trip: without a map or plan, you risk getting lost or missing important destinations,” says Keisha Shah, founder of Milton Keynes-based children's education brand Ted Play.
“The Strive UK one-stop-shop tool is great at giving you a clearly defined plan that acts as a roadmap for your business, ensuring you're progressing towards your objectives and not wasting time and resources on irrelevant detours.”
