Digitalization is a decisive competitive advantage for craftsmen – but also a factor that contributes significantly to the increasing complexity of corporate management. So that craftsmen can keep track of things and master the digital transformation of their company, Josef Zauner and Julian Mehlig from Digital Blocks offer them professional, competent support in all areas related to digitalization. In addition to planning employee recruitment via digital channels, they support tradesmen, among other things, with the digitization and automation of internal processes in order to create capacity for more added value. The following article highlights how the role of the managing director has changed due to digitalization.
Digitalization has massively changed the role of the managing director in the trades: It is no longer enough to be “just” a master craftsman – topics such as marketing and recruiting as well as strategic and business planning are also part of the managing director’s tasks. Quite a few skilled workers are therefore overwhelmed as soon as they try to run their own company. “Just as no master has fallen from heaven in the craft sector, this also applies to running your own business. Craftsmen who do not develop further will fall by the wayside in the long term,” explains Josef Zauner, one of the managing directors of Digital Blocks.
“In order to master the transformation from skilled craftsman to smart manager, craftsmen must acquire the necessary knowledge in the same way they did with their craft skills – and ideally by seeking the support of an expert who has already taken this path “, adds Julian Mehlig, also managing director of Digital Blocks. Together, the experts support craft businesses in all aspects of digital transformation. Not only do they relieve the burden on the managing director, who can then concentrate on his core tasks, they also ensure resource savings, increased efficiency and a secure positioning for the future. Josef Zauner and Julian Mehlig have summarized below what knowledge a craftsman urgently needs to have in order to run a modern and sustainable company – and what tools can help him.
More than just craftsmanship – the role of the managing director is changing
In contrast to an employed skilled worker, the managing director of his own company is not only responsible for the manual aspect of the work, but also for the success of the entire company. He must be as knowledgeable in business management issues as in craftsmanship and make strategic decisions that have long-term consequences for the company and all of its employees. Among other things, the managing director must plan budgets, make investments in the growth of the business and strategically develop the company – all while also managing day-to-day business.
In addition, the digitalization of business processes is no longer just a nice extra, but an absolute necessity in order to be successful in the long term. Many tradesmen have already understood this and are allowing digital solutions to make their lives easier – but digitalization opens up far more opportunities than many initially realize. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, craftsmen urgently need to constantly expand their horizons and acquire business and digital specialist knowledge.
Develop competitive advantages through in-depth knowledge
A modern business leader must be familiar with an enormous range of topics in order to make informed decisions about the future of their company. He should at least understand what the most important financial figures mean, which business figures are important for the company’s success and how sales and controlling work. The entrepreneur must therefore develop from a mere “skilled worker with his own business” to an all-rounder who is able to understand the entire spectrum of operational processes and, if necessary, delegate tasks to the right people.
Digital solutions represent a decisive competitive advantage and should therefore be firmly integrated into business processes in order to make work easier. For example, digital channels offer the opportunity to make customer acquisition and recruiting more efficient and to address potential customers and applicants even more effectively. In addition, the systematic digitalization of administrative business processes can free up additional capacities so that more added value is possible.
With professional support for the operation of the future
In order to get started with the extensive topics of digitalization and business management, master craftsmen should not be afraid to seek external help if necessary. Just as they acquired the technical skills from a more experienced colleague, they must also do so with the business and digital know-how they need to succeed in their own business.
To do this, it is almost essential to seek the support of an expert who has experience in running their own craft business and in the digitalization of business processes. This is the only way to carry out the transformation from traditional master craftsman to modern and smart managing director, which is urgently needed for the success and future viability of your own company, without errors and with minimal detours.
Do you want to develop your craft business into the company of the future and maximize its added value without stress? Then contact the experts now Digital Blocks and make an appointment!