Public Funding for The Productivity Group

This programme is seeking to evaluate and optimise Think Digital. This website from Be the Business seeks to increase successful technology adoption by providing guidance and information to SMEs on how to purchase and implement the best software for their needs. The programme focuses on five types of software: CRM systems, ERP systems, HR systems, digital accounting software, and project management software. These were chosen as they are proven to boost productivity, and their use could benefit the majority of firms. The programme is targeting SME firms in England, across sectors, and is intended to test an online, highly scalable approach to supporting SMEs. The site blends resources such as product selection checklists and implementation guides with a user focused approach, built on authentic case studies and best practice content from workshops with SMEs. This approach is inspired by experiences from Be the Business's other programmes which suggest SME leaders are often most receptive to advice which comes from other SME leaders. Be the Business's strategic partnership with Lloyds Bank will play a key part in this programme. Lloyds's will recruit SMEs for the trial and part of the trial will see their team of Relationship Managers supporting their customers using Think Digital. Think Digital will be evaluated through a Randomised Control Trial which will compare three groups: A control group; a group who only receive online support via the Think Digital website; and a group who receive online support via the Think Digital website as well as face to face support in its use from their Lloyds Relationship Managers This programme is intended to evaluate a lower cost, more scalable approach to supporting technology adoption. The intervention is intended to deliver benefits at a fraction of the cost of other measures by using a scalable online platform and leveraging in-person interactions which are already taking place. The trial will test Think Digital, and allow the assessment of the comparative benefits of digital approaches to business support and more traditional in-person support.