Digital for Business
About this good practice
Digital For Business (previously called Digital Start Pilot) is a initiative by the Local Enterprise Office designed to give LEO funded clients that digital edge and increase digital adoption in SMEs nationally. It is about providing support to obtain digital strategy, technical and/or advisory services for businesses.
This initiative aims to give SMEs a digital edge by helping them to prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business; and to encourage SMEs to adopt more digital practices to help the business grow and scale.
At the beginning Digital Start aimed to provide strategic intervention for SMEs to:
• assist them identify where they are on their digital adoption journey.
• develop a digital adaptation plan based on their identified needs, and encourage implementation of digital tools; and build digital competence and capability.
Now Digital for Business provides support to obtain digital strategy, technical and/or advisory services for eligible businesses. Expert digital consultants help to develop a unique digital strategy that transforms businesses by identifying where they are on their digital business journey, developing a digital adaptation plan based on identified needs and assisting with the implementation of a digital plan. SMEs need to maximise every advantage and implementing a digital strategy can give businesses a real edge, from optimising processes to delivering a seamless digital customer experience.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
Each Digital for business project involves 3-5 days of expert consultancy up to max of €3,500. The GP is funded solely by each LEO, with no costs to clients, via funding from Enterprise Ireland with an annual budget and target provided. LEO business advisor's time is covered by normal salary costs.
Evidence of success
In 2023, 9 projects were funded and the available budget of €45,000 were fully used.
Examples of successes:
e.g.1. A bag manufacturer reduced bag making time from 45 mins to 20 mins which allowed a ramp up of sales/production.
e.g.2. A visitor attraction moved to an automated ticketing system which reduced staff costs and time due to increased efficiency.
e.g.3. A company with a fleet of sales staff was able to halve the order to delivery time by use of remote tablets for live feed order entry.
Potential for learning or transfer
The pilot initiative called Digital Start commenced in April, 2022; and then evolved to be called Digital for Business in July, 2023. Subsequently another project called Grow Digital was introduced in 2024 to further enhance the existing Digital for Business programme.
With Grow Digital, businesses with up to 50 employees, that have completed the Digital for Business project may now apply for funding in the form of a grant, up to the value of €5,000.00 each, to embrace digital technology particularly as:
1. Funding: to invest in software and training/IT configuration.
2. Boost Efficiency: Streamline operations and enhance productivity with new digital tools.
3. Reach New Customers: Expand the business’s reach and connect with a wider audience online.
4. Stay Competitive: Bridge the digital gap and compete effectively in today's marketplace.
In later stages, it is envisaged that the LEO will build a data bank and volume of success stories/case studies with SME clients.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
