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The woodwork expert and Heritage Crafts ambassador , famous for bringing heirlooms back to life , wants to show how moving from analogue to digital can preserve traditional businesses ’ historic ways of working , enable them to reach new audiences and make it easier to manage their operations . The call comes as four-fifths ( 81 %) of businesses started before 1900 say tech has helped to preserve their traditions .

BT ’ s research reveals that three-quarters of small business leaders ( 77 %) believe new technology has ensured their company ’ s survival . The majority – nine in 10 ( 89 %) – say digital tech has opened new revenue streams , 80 % feel it has given them a competitive edge , while 79 % say it has helped them connect with new customers .

BT ’ s study shows that the UK ’ s small business community has been investing in technology this year , with most seizing the opportunity to boost their networks and digital tools in 2024 . Four in five small firms ( 78 %) say they have introduced new technology in the last 12 months . The top investment was a new website ( 50 %), followed by increased cybersecurity ( 48 %) and social media ( 45 %). Two in five ( 40 %) describe their small business as being a tech company , or one driven by advanced technology such as AI , robotics or data analytics .

However , a fifth of the UK ’ s small and medium firms ( 22 %) – equivalent to more

Will Kirk , star of hit BBC show The Repair Shop

than a million – still think of themselves as an ‘ analogue ’ company , using technologies like traditional landlines , paper-based contracts and physical filing systems to do business . For example , one in six ( 16 %) still use fax machines .

Will Kirk said : “ Restoring the crafts and artistry of the past is my job , so I know how important it is to preserve tradition for the next generations . Embracing digital tech can help small businesses with decades of history reach new customers , streamline services and stay competitive . It doesn ’ t mean replacing the heart of what makes heritage businesses unique – it ’ s about giving them the tools they need to hold onto this heritage in an increasinglydigital world .”

BT ’ s research comes as the UK is undergoing a once-ina-generation tech upgrade , moving to digital networks as the ageing copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network ( PSTN ), approaches retirement after more than four decades in operation . The switchover from the PSTN to digital connectivity is a move to future-proof the UK ’ s infrastructure , with the old network more prone to faults and outages , putting businesses at risk of losing connection to critical services . �

BT ’ S STUDY SHOWS THAT THE UK ’ S SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY THIS YEAR , WITH MOST SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOOST THEIR NETWORKS AND DIGITAL TOOLS IN 2024 .

Intelligent SME . tech

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