{"id":8083,"date":"2020-10-27T07:00:45","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T07:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=8083"},"modified":"2026-01-29T10:06:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T10:06:10","slug":"digital-approach-help-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/digital-approach-help-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a digital approach can help your business \u2013 and how to fund it"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/strategy-legal-operations\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Strategy, Legal &amp; Operations<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy a digital approach can help your business \u2013 and how to fund it\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2020-10-27T07:00:45+00:00\">27 October, 2020<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Why a digital approach can help your business \u2013 and how to fund it\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/digital-approach-help-business\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/staceymcintosh\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/Stacey-McIntosh-350-1.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Stacey McIntosh<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>What does digital adoption look like at your business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps your business hasn\u2019t started taking a digital approach and you\u2019re doing things manually, using the likes of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/speed-up-business-processes\/\">paper and spreadsheets<\/a> to get by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or maybe you\u2019re implementing new tech and it\u2019s working wonders for your productivity and output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps you\u2019re in the middle, working your way through digitalising your processes with goals of added efficiency and productivity, and increased revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to start with a digital approach for your processes or are well on the way with doing so, the impact of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/coronavirus\/\">coronavirus<\/a> (COVID-19) is likely to have both accelerated things (with accounting, finance and videoconferencing solutions playing key roles when requirements to work from home were first announced earlier in 2020) and slowed things down (with some businesses seeing their revenues flatline and moving budgets to stay afloat).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we look at why a digital approach can help your business, and how to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also focus on tackling the funding challenge, covering advice on what you can try in order to finance the tech that can help your achieve the business growth you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-accelerated-use-of-tech-but-financial-challenges-are-in-the-way\">Accelerated use of tech \u2013 but financial challenges are in the way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/10\/Investing-for-Recovery-Supporting-SME-jobs-and-growth-through-digital-adoption.pdf\">recent report by Sage<\/a> and research consultancy Capital Economics, called Investing For Recovery, shows that 73% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have invested in technology since the pandemic started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, only 17% were planning to invest prior to coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The accelerated use of technology has enabled these businesses to keep moving during the pandemic, and it shows businesses on the whole are keen to adopt tech solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional points from the report on this are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>57% of small businesses are now regularly using digital solutions to help <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/manage-business-finances\/\">manage finances<\/a> and accounts, their workforce and people and prevent cyber-attacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>71% say technology will increase their profitability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>But the challenge arises when trying to take the next step on the digital journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding the funds to adopt new tech is proving challenging, especially when revenues aren\u2019t as high as they were (or projected to be).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, two points from the report on this are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>67% of SMEs want to invest more across all areas of technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SMEs want to invest on average \u00a310,000 more in technology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While there is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/coronavirus-financial-support-business\/\">coronavirus government help<\/a>, in the form of a series of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/government-grants-for-small-businesses\/\">grants and loans<\/a>, many businesses feel this doesn\u2019t go far enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the research, they would like tax incentives (37%) and digital vouchers (36%) to help them afford their digital objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-benefits-of-digitalising-your-processes\">4 benefits of digitalising your processes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So what can you do now to get things moving when it comes to adopting new technology?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, here are four benefits of digitalising your processes (for those who haven\u2019t and those who have but haven\u2019t realised the benefits yet)\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-reduced-time-on-admin\">1. Reduced time on admin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/reduce-admin-grow-business\/\">Business admin<\/a> doesn\u2019t have to take hours out of your day anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By using business software to automate processes, for example, there are a number of things you can do, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automating your data entry with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/\">accounting software<\/a>, so when it comes to updating the books, it\u2019s a breeze to complete.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/payroll-software\/\">payroll software<\/a> to make sure your staff are paid correctly and on time, while navigating any compliance issues with confidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking pictures of receipts using your mobile phone, with the data going straight to your cloud accounting software, therefore updating your financial records with ease.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/hr-self-service-tools-save-time\/\">self-service tools<\/a> within your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/human-resources\/\">cloud HR software<\/a> that your employees can access, so they can put in holiday requests, update personal details and add performance data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-increased-productivity\">2. Increased productivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With the time you\u2019re saving on automating manual tasks, you and your team will be freed up to focus on things that make you more productive, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Finding new customers and clients<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keeping your existing clientele happy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Testing and selling new products and services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>On the latter point, taking new products for example, you could use your accounting software to see which ones are selling the best and focus on those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-increased-revenue\">3. Increased revenue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With those new products and services you\u2019re offering, you\u2019ll be able to increase the revenue coming in to the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And as you\u2019re spending less time (and money) on admin, there\u2019ll be more time to dedicate to generating sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-better-customer-experience\">4. Better customer experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Technology will allow you to improve how you meet the needs of your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In light of coronavirus and the need for regular cleaning, some restaurants are turning to tech to improve their customer service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of handing out menus, which would need to be either thrown away or cleaned after each use, customers can simply scan a QR code using their mobile phone and the menu appears on their device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simple and effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-tips-to-start-or-kickstart-your-digital-adoption\">3 tips to start or kickstart your digital adoption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So while the benefits of digitalising your processes are apparent, the financial challenge is still clearly one that needs to be tackled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you, here are three tips worth trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-access-grants\">1. Access grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/government-grants-for-small-businesses\/\">government grants<\/a> that are worth exploring. A range of government support has been offered in light of coronavirus that may be able to help your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also worth reaching out to Growth Hubs, which are led by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) \u2013 they might have local grants that you can access, which are relevant to technology and can support your bid to digitalise your business and processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-use-cloud-subscription-software\">2. Use cloud subscription software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to adopting technology for your business, you no longer need to invest a huge amount of money in one go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Purchasing software on a subscription basis is a great way to access the technology you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you opt for cloud-based software, it means you\u2019re not tied to your desktop computer \u2013 you can work wherever you are and whenever you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/\">cloud accounting software<\/a>, for example. By paying on a monthly basis, your cheaper outlay will mean you have more funds in your budget to pay for equipment, resources, staff or whatever your outgoings are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By using your software to make better decisions (spend less money on one type of product because it\u2019s not selling well; spend more on top-selling items), not only will you be able to use your budget in the right places, you\u2019ll generate more revenue and can dedicate more funds towards taking a digital approach with more of your processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-train-yourself-and-your-staff\">3. Train yourself and your staff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To truly embrace digital adoption, you need to reach the stage where you can use your software and technology to its full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to do this, training yourself and your staff is an important consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There doesn\u2019t always have to be a cost to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your technology or software provider, they may offer free training to help you get up to speed with your IT solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a win-win: you use their products as intended to get the best result for your business, and you\u2019re more likely to stick with that provider as you trust their offering and will be more likely to buy from them in the future).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also numerous courses covering digital skills that you and your team can take free of charge, including from the likes of Google (<a href=\"https:\/\/learndigital.withgoogle.com\/digitalgarage\/course\/digital-marketing\">digital marketing<\/a>) and Future Learn (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/digital-skills-social-media\">social media<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find you need to put yourself or your team on paid training courses, perhaps create a new digital pot of funds (using some for digitalising more processes in the future) \u2013 that can come from the money saved due to making your business run more efficiently \u2013 and put some money towards a training budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to taking a digital approach with your business, it pays to start now, if you haven\u2019t already. And if you have, it might be worth thinking laterally to see how you can afford to keep moving on your digital journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Investing for recovery report<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Read the Sage and Capital Economics report to find out more about how businesses are adopting technology solutions and how the right government support could help to accelerate digital adoption.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/10\/Investing-for-Recovery-Supporting-SME-jobs-and-growth-through-digital-adoption.pdf\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-8085\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Read the report<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/08\/BB_hands-w-tablet_30517.31934-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2020\/08\/BB_hands-w-tablet_30517.31934-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-continuity\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness continuity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/cloud\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCloud technology\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/digital-transformation\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDigital transformation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/government-funding\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGovernment funding\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/workplace-technology\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWorkplace technology\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-29900 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-technology-innovation tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-payments tag-work-life-balance tag-workplace-technology business_type-small-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/concerned-tradesman-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A tradesperson using AI on their mobile phone to be notified of a late payment\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/concerned-tradesman-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/concerned-tradesman-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/concerned-tradesman-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-30T09:00:00+01:00\">30 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sole-trader-ai\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEven sole traders can use AI: How to get paid faster and slash admin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tLate payments, endless admin, cash flow guesswork\u2014sole trading is hard enough without doing finance after dark. Free AI is here to take it off your plate.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-29874 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-cloud tag-digital-transformation tag-finance tag-make-receive-payments tag-midsized-business tag-payments tag-reduce-admin tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-food-beverage\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/5-pressures-every-hospitality-cfo-is-feeling-and-the-fix-for-each\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"why taking baby steps leads to big changes\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-27T15:33:01+01:00\">27 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t5 pressures every hospitality CFO is feeling\u2014and the fix for each\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-29750 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-continuity tag-business-performance tag-financial-education business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-non-profit\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/donor-management-best-practices-for-nonprofits\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-599890832-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-599890832-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-599890832-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-599890832-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-22T16:47:30+01:00\">22 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tDonor management best practices for charities: How to attract, retain and engage supporters\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-24591 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-free-guides-templates tag-business-continuity tag-business-costs tag-business-finances tag-start-business business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-food-beverage industry-travel-hospitality\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-restaurant\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1296818594-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1296818594-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1296818594-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1296818594-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.988 2.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v10.689l-1.72-1.72a.75.75 0 0 0-.957-.099.75.75 0 0 0-.315.776c.031.146.104.28.211.384l3 3a.75.75 0 0 0 1.06 0l3-3a.76.76 0 0 0 .231-.533.74.74 0 0 0-.22-.538q-.108-.106-.247-.164c-.139-.058-.191-.057-.291-.056s-.198.022-.29.061-.174.097-.243.169l-1.72 1.72V3.75a.76.76 0 0 0-.22-.541.76.76 0 0 0-.542-.22zM5.75 8.5C4.24 8.5 3 9.74 3 11.25v7C3 19.76 4.24 21 5.75 21h12.5c1.51 0 2.75-1.24 2.75-2.75v-7c0-1.51-1.24-2.75-2.75-2.75h-3a.76.76 0 0 0-.537.216.74.74 0 0 0-.223.535.76.76 0 0 0 .223.535.74.74 0 0 0 .537.216h3c.699 0 1.25.551 1.25 1.25v7a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25 1.25H5.75a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25-1.25v-7c0-.699.551-1.25 1.25-1.25h3a.76.76 0 0 0 .537-.216.74.74 0 0 0 .223-.535.76.76 0 0 0-.223-.535.75.75 0 0 0-.537-.216z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-01T12:00:00+01:00\">1 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">12 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow much does it cost to open a restaurant?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-29142 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-cloud tag-financial-education tag-payments business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-an-invoice\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-645973033-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-645973033-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-645973033-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-645973033-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-03-17T14:23:48+00:00\">17 March, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is an invoice? Definition and examples\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does digital adoption look like at your business? Perhaps your business hasn\u2019t started taking a digital approach and you\u2019re doing things manually, using the likes of paper and spreadsheets to get by. Or maybe you\u2019re implementing new tech and it\u2019s working wonders for your productivity and output. Perhaps you\u2019re in the middle, working your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":346,"featured_media":9439,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,11],"tags":[191,51,145,17,125],"business_type":[4,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[71,73,74,75],"imagine_tag":[220,98,165,96,109],"coauthors":[353],"class_list":["post-8083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy-legal-operations","category-technology-innovation","tag-business-continuity","tag-cloud","tag-digital-transformation","tag-government-funding","tag-workplace-technology","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Stacey McIntosh","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2021\/04\/z.5E3A0481_All-Uses.jpg","imagine_tags":{"220":"Accountant accounting","98":"Business continuity","165":"Medium business trade","96":"Medium businesses","109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8083\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/9439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=8083"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=8083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}