DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION
Go digital or
go dark
You might be forgiven for thinking that every change in business is currently being driven by circumstances beyond our control. But some changes, no matter how timely and topical, are intentional, strategic and offer Cornish businesses flexible ways to adapt to turbulent times. Unlocking Potential has launched ‘Digital Transformation’, a programme to help transform Cornish businesses through planned and strategic change, enabled by technology. This is a brand new, ERDFfunded programme developed in partnership with The Cornwall College Group and Software Cornwall, and it’s been designed with the region’s current and future digital needs at its heart. Of course, the county’s had a reputation as a
36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
hi-tech pioneer for years; the sector was already flourishing long before March 2020’s first lockdown. But since Covid turned the world upside down, digital has become increasingly important and forced businesses to adapt, to change how they work, what they offer and, frequently, how they think too.
Fast-forward ten years: what will your business look like?
Digital Transformation aims to ensure these new technologies and systems help businesses to perform better, and to become more competitive and efficient. The programme’s manager, Dr Nathan Jeffery, says: “If there were any doubts about the need for digital transformation to facilitate business longevity, the global pandemic has silenced them. “Those businesses that have quickly pivoted
to undertake business in the digital economy are the ones reaping rewards from the pandemic. Businesses are now blending the physical and the digital to provide their customers with the best overall customer experience possible.”
Nathan will lead the project from within the new base at the brand new Fibre Hub, located on The Cornwall College campus in Pool. This hi-tech building will encompass work and event spaces, cutting-edge technology, and superfast connectivity. He will be joined there by Digital Innovators, Katie Moore, Helen Jones and Dave Crossley, selected for their skills in combining technical expertise with people-and-business know-how, and for their ability to turn niche expertise into practical ways for businesses to prosper.
