VODAFONE GROUP PLC 
- Half of businesses surveyed are fearful or worried about keeping pace with digital developments in the next five years, reveals YouGov survey for Vodafone UK
- 'Digital technology' is widely recognised as an essential ingredient to future business success
- The customer has, and always will be, king - customer service seen as the number one 'universal truth' of doing business by UK organisations
The pace of digital disruption has left 50 per cent of British businesses and public sector organisations surveyed fearful or worried that their organisations will not be able to keep up with what is still to come over the next five years, according to YouGov research for Vodafone UK released today. This potentially means that millions of businesses are in danger of being left behind. However, with nine out of 10 business leaders believing digital technology is essential to a business's success, it is imperative that UK plc and the public sector is sufficiently prepared to take advantage of the opportunities presented by digital technology, now and in the future.
The research, which surveyed more than 1,100 decision makers across private businesses and the public sector in Britain, also uncovered the 'universal truths' of doing business. These are the factors which senior decision makers believe have always been and continue to be true , and almost eight out of 10 businesses (78 per cent) confirm these fundamentals will still apply in 10 to 20 years. The top five business truths, all of which can be positively impacted by the effective use of digital technology, were:
- delivering quality customer service (74 per cent)
- providing quality products and services (72 per cent)
- providing value for money (65 per cent)
- controlling costs (65 per cent)
- delivering profitability/ return for investors (53 per cent)
However, while a majority saw quality customer service as a universal business truth, it is clear that achieving this has become more difficult in today's digital economy with an overwhelming consensus that digital technology has changed customers' expectations. Today's customer expects:
- an almost immediate response to their enquiries (73 per cent)
- to be able to reach a company through a variety of different channels (such as telephone, retail store, email, web chat, social media, online forums, face-to-face etc.) to purchase a product/ service (70 per cent) or ask for help (67 per cent)
- to receive a consistent experience online or offline (53 per cent)
This will continue to be a challenge for businesses over the next five years with nearly 40 per cent of respondents anticipating that customers' growing expectations (such as around quality of service and responsiveness) will disrupt the organisation and how business is done.
'Digital technology has already broken down the old, familiar business models but the effect it will have on the future of organisations' operations remains significant. Britain's business leaders are rightly concerned about keeping up,' said Phil Mottram, Enterprise Director of Vodafone UK.
'British businesses and the public sector are under constant pressure to meet customers' ever increasing expectations, to do more with less and still find ways to be competitive. While the onset of digital technology seems to have exacerbated this scenario for many, by placing pressure on IT departments, budgets and resources, it can also be the means to overcome the challenges businesses face today and tomorrow. When used to its full potential, digital technology can generate cost savings, improve operational agility, enable workplace flexibility and support the delivery of higher standards of customer service to meet the growing demands of consumers and the public,' Mottram adds.
'By seeing digital technology as an enabler of positive change rather than as something to fear, organisations will be better positioned to overcome some of their key challenges and continue to deliver on the universal truths that are seen to be fundamental to business success. '
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,130 senior decision makers across private and public sector. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16-23 September 2015. The survey was carried out online.
Vodafone is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 30 June 2015, Vodafone had 449 million mobile customers and 12 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.
Vodafone UK partners with businesses of all sizes - from start-ups and small businesses to the largest corporates and the public sector. The company has worked with UK businesses for over 30 years, starting out as a mobile provider and becoming one of the UK's leading total communications partners. It provides a range of voice and data services, secure communications infrastructure, fixed and call centre capability, unified communications and was the first mobile phone operator to offer a truly converged service for fixed and mobile.
Vodafone is currently spending around £1 billion on its network and services across the UK following a similar amount spent last year. This includes £200 million on its network in London, the introduction of its 4G service to more than 642 cities and towns, as well as thousands of smaller communities whilst also making network improvements across its UK 3G network. Meanwhile, The Vodafone Rural Open Sure Signal programme is also aiming to bring 3G coverage for the first time to 100 remote communities across the UK.
Vodafone UKVodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England
www.vodafone.com
Vodafone UK Media Relations
Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 666777
Vodafone Limited
Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN
Registered in England No: 1471587
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