Entrepreneurs believe start-ups must evolve, says survey

A report by Fujitsu has found that over 90 per cent of European entrepreneurs believe that their business must evolve in order to succeed.

The research found that 60 per cent of the respondents believe that digital disruption is the biggest challenge that their business is currently facing.

Change

Many respondents were found to feel positive about digitalisation, with 72 per cent saying that it will provide exciting opportunities, and 80 per cent saying that it is a positive force.

However, 44 per cent of respondents believe that digital disruption will lead to their business not existing in its current form by 2021, and 98 per cent said that their business has already been impacted by digital disruption.

They were also asked what drives their business’s response to digital disruption. Customers were identified as the biggest influence at 45 per cent, followed by competitors at 31 per cent.

Unstoppable

Fujitsu UK & Ireland Chief Executive Lucy Dimes said: “Digital disruption is a huge challenge – no question. But businesses cannot bury their heads in the sand because digital is not only a powerful force, it’s unstoppable.

“The truth is that organisations need help to realise the potential of digital. The ability to pool knowledge, ideas and resources with a technology partner is a vital capability.”