You might be someone who feels ever so slightly nervous when they see the phrase ‘digital transformation’. And the thought of adopting a new productivity tool in your practice might be daunting.  But the rewards of embracing digital change are great and can bring huge rewards. Here are some of them.

You’ll be able to better respond to your clients

Think about it for a moment. Your clients are using apps and tech to manage most of their day to day life, from ordering their weekly shop, to planning their personal fitness journey and finding a new romantic partner.

Yet when it comes to working with an architect on their home renovation, they’ll find it run by shared spreadsheet, phone calls and email.

Using a cloud based project management tool that keeps them in the loop as the project progresses will not only reassure them that everything is as it should be, it will also reflect well on the professionalism of your practice.

You’ll add value to your clients

A recent report from RIBA talked about digital transformation being able to ‘bring together people, data and processes to create value for clients and a competitive advantage for practices in a digital-first world.’

What does this mean for you? We see it as being able to use tech products in the right way, to collaborate and communicate better with your client and your internal and external project team. Meaning a happier client and a team that’s all on the same page.

You’ll get more referrals

A recent report stated that 50% of clients choose their architect based on a personal recommendation from a friend or family member.

So delight your clients with a professional service supported by a great tech tool, and you’re likely to get more referrals.

You’ll attract new talent to your practice

Did you know that so-called ‘Generation Z’ are said to be the first digitally native generation? They are entering the workforce now, and expect to use technology that’s intuitive to use, enables them to collaborate with their team and work flexibly.

What’s more, research by Insight found that the majority of 18 to 34-year-olds say they are dissatisfied with their current employer’s technology, and will be looking for an improvement in their next opportunity. So if you want to retain the next generation of young architects, keep them motivated by adopting good, purpose built software.

You’ll get successful outcomes.

Let’s face it, admin can be hard. And although process, communication and collaboration  might be valued by clients, you might see them as things that keep you away from doing what you’re best at; designing and creating beautiful buildings.

Using a software tool to automate these processes will save admin time, freeing you up to do what you enjoy the most about your job – being creative.

Finally, we remember what social entrepreneur and business leader Bill Drayton said recently;

‘Successful organisations need to move from a world primarily driven by repetition to one driven by change.’

So continue to review, consider and evolve how you manage your projects. Embrace change. And keep questioning.