Business enablement - how to improve efficiency in work processes

How many tools and applications do you use in your daily work? Probably quite a few. And new tools are constantly being added. You may get some training at the beginning, but their full potential often goes unused.

Individual tools or applications may make everyday work much easier. But they often don’t align optimally with other tools or integrate with existing software or processes. All of this degrades efficiency, even though the tools are supposed to have exactly the opposite effect. Here’s where the concept of business enablement comes into play.

• What is business enablement?
• Benefits of business enablement
• Business enablement vs. sales enablement
• Business enablement in everyday work
• Does business enablement have any disadvantages?
• Business enablement in Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Office on steroids

What is business enablement?

Business enablement is the process of providing resources, tools, and strategies for a company to operate more effectively and efficiently, and be more successful in the long run. It aims to drive business growth and agility by providing employees with what they need to do their jobs better.

Business enablement technologies ideally combine multiple applications into one coordinated solution. User-friendliness is essential. Emphasis should focus on intuitive user interfaces and user experience design.

Typical resources involved in business enablement include software platforms and tools, training and educational materials, and any processes and procedures designed to improve and optimize business operations.

Benefits of business enablement

In practice, business enablement goes hand in hand with the modern workplace. It’s becoming increasingly important in this regard. Benefits of business enablement include:

• Increased productivity
• Improved data security
• Streamlined IT resource management
• Data-driven customer insights
• Increased agility
• Increased profitability
  
  

Business enablement vs. sales enablement

Sales enablement refers to the process by which companies equip their salespeople with the right information, tools, processes, and training to sell successfully. The goal of sales enablement is to improve the sales process and increase the company’s revenue.

In contrast to business enablement, sales enablement relates purely to the sales process. It’s a less comprehensive concept that covers just one specific area of the company.

Business enablement in everyday work

Business enablement can be applied in everyday work in a variety of ways. What will work best depends on a company’s specific needs and goals. Some concrete examples:

• Technology: One way to apply business enablement is to use technologies and systems that enhance business processes and client service. For example, CRM systems can help improve customer relationships and streamline sales processes.
• Education and training: Business enablement includes education and training to improve employee competencies and experiences. This can take the form of training to improve leadership skills, to strengthen collaboration and communication, or to enhance technical skills.
• Process optimization: By optimizing business processes, companies work more effectively and efficiently. Business enablement therefore includes analyzing and optimizing business processes to eliminate bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and increase the overall success of the company.
• Collaboration and communication: Business enablement should improve communication and collaboration among departments and employees in the company. Collaboration tools and platforms, regular meetings, and communication training all contribute to this.

Does business enablement have any disadvantages?

Although business enablement technologies offer many benefits to businesses, some disadvantages and challenges should be considered. Below are some of the most important things to beware of:

• Cost: Implementing business enablement technologies can be expensive. Costs include purchasing licenses, hardware, and installing and maintaining systems. Training employees to use the technologies also costs time and money. So it’s important to choose software that has a proven ROI.
• Complexity: Disconnected or poorly thought-out business enablement technologies can eventually be complex and difficult for employees to adopt and use. As a result, it may take time and resources to train employees to use the technologies effectively.
• Security: As with any new technology, business enablement technologies can increase risks of cyberattacks and data breaches. Organizations must implement appropriate security measures to ensure the safety and integrity of their data and systems.
• Dependence on technology: Business enablement technologies can make organizations dependent on technology, which increases vulnerability in the event of technical failures. Organizations need contingency plans and back-up systems in place to maintain their capabilities in the event of technology failure or disruption. Resilient systems that work both online and offline help reduce those risks.
• Employee resistance/fear of the unknown: Introducing new technology can face resistance from employees, especially if they feel that tech may replace their job or position. Organizations should include employee communication and training during the adoption process to ensure a smooth rollout and acceptance of new technologies.

The pros and cons of business enablement technologies should always be weighed to ensure selecting the right solutions for your needs.

Business enablement in Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is itself a business enablement technology. It combines various applications and functions to make daily work easier and more efficient. With the help of applications like SharePoint, data and documents can be stored, managed, and used centrally. Microsoft services such as Power BI support designing more efficient work processes through business analysis functions and chatbots. Microsoft Teams promotes collaboration through video conferences, messaging, and the like.

By cleverly combining the individual applications, Microsoft Office can significantly simplify everyday office life. However, Microsoft Office also has its limits.

Microsoft Office on steroids

To get even more out of a business enablement technology like Microsoft Office, add-ins like empower^® come in handy.

Why do they earn their place in business enablement? Microsoft ensures productivity, but not brand conformity. When it’s difficult for people to comply with their company’s brand guidelines, they’ll (understandably) prefer quick productivity over brand compliance. But today it’s more important than ever to present your brand in a uniform and consistent manner, to build and maintain a solid brand identity. Brand recognition drives sales and customer loyalty, while helping employees appear more professional and committed to company values.

The empower^® suite of solutions comes to the rescue. They make it easy for people to work in MS Office more efficiently, and effortlessly brand-compliant.

For example, the empower^® Brand Control solution eliminates chaotic email signatures, outdated Word templates, and inconsistent presentations.

Feel free to contact us for more information about how empower^® solutions will enable your business to thrive!