Between April and July last year, the number of newly registered businesses in the UK jumped from 7,000 to a staggering 18,000 (source. Office for National Statistics). And now, according to the business support organisation Enterprise Nation, it looks as though we’re well on track to exceed those numbers moving into a post-COVID era.
We could delve into the myriad of reasons why — ranging from widespread redundancies to the obvious and pragmatic shifts in the way services are now being consumed. But the real question should be aimed squarely at what it is, precisely, that will determine their success.
Starting a new enterprise is difficult at the best of times. Building something from scratch in the wake of a global pandemic, on the other hand, will be fraught with a very different set of challenges.
Here we outline the key reasons a robust telecommunications strategy is crucial for start-up success in 2021.
Business-grade internet / fibre
With online sales increasing by over 46% (source. Office for National Statistics), it’s not hard to see why so many new businesses will be digital-only or have online as a key component of their business model.
In which case, business-grade internet (otherwise known as fibre) will be imperative for any organisation looking to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape. Unlike consumer connections, business-grade internet isn’t restricted by data limits. So, if you’re exchanging large files all day long, or you need to handle peak-time traffic from network users, fibre will add serious speed to your operation.
On top of all that, a business-grade internet connection lays a robust foundation for supporting various resources/communications across your entire business infrastructure. This brings us to our next point…
Telephony / mobile
Depending on your internet speeds, there will be different telephony systems you could theoretically implement within your new business — but we’ll come back to those in a moment.
Plenty of customers are still picking up the phone to enquire about services and business information. In fact, a study conducted by Invoca revealed that 75% of customers believe that calling a business is the best way to get a quick response — calling it the “most effective form of customer support”.
With this in mind, it’s pretty clear that new start-ups can’t afford to neglect telephony for fear of cutting out a pretty significant chunk of new enquiries. On the other side of things, a robust telephony system can also strengthen communications across different business areas, unify teams and improve productivity.
Circling back to what we said earlier about there being different kinds of telephony systems available, it really comes down to whether a hosted, on-premises or hybrid solution best fits your needs and infrastructure. If you’re unsure, you can check out a recent article we wrote about the subject that will definitely resonate with new businesses in 2021.
Regardless, a robust telephony system should be at the core of your telecommunications strategy. Other advantages include:
- Lower call costs
- Multi-media messaging
- Group calls / meetings
- Hot-desking
- Local area number no matter where you are located
- Mobile integration
On the subject of mobile, you can even get a landline telephone number for your smartphone. This is particularly ideal for small businesses who are just starting out, who perhaps don’t want the hassle or expense of a landline installation but require a professional front-facing telephone number.
If you’re starting a new venture and thinking of renewing your mobile contract, check out the top business smartphones for 2021 here.
Cloud hosting
We’ve already touched on hosted telephony systems. But the benefits of cloud hosting, on the whole, are even more immense.
The combination of virtual servers and software as a service makes cloud hosting ideal for new small businesses to enhance their resources without taking up too much space or expense. It also gives new companies the flexibility to scale operations appropriately and cost-effectively as the business continues to evolve and grow.
Another huge benefit of cloud hosting is data security. Offsite cloud-based backup services mean that new businesses don’t have to worry about forgetting to backup essential data. It also ensures certain resources that aren’t hosted locally (including telephone systems) remain operational and accessible in the event of a local disruption (flood, fire, local power outage, etc.), and business continuity can resume. These aren’t things new businesses tend to think about, but it’s always good to prepare for any eventuality.
Why choose Fidelity Group if you’re a start-up in 2021
2021 is going to be a trying year for all businesses — not just for start-ups.
With that in mind, new enterprises looking to start strong should be thinking about their telecommunications — which, as we’ve outlined, extends far beyond simple telephone systems.
Here at Fidelity Group, we look at the bigger picture. We deliver unique, tailored solutions that combine to form an overarching strategy designed to enhance your capabilities, improve operations and strengthen your business. We then bolster this with 24/7/365 dedicated technical support and customer service, forging relationships with all our clients to help ensure success on their journey. Everything is handled under one roof, including energy.
Get in touch with the team today and see how we can help your new business thrive now and for the longer term.
