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By James Moore, Co-Founder of Coordinate Sport

With technological advancements and the rise of the digital age, the world is rapidly changing, and the children’s physical activity sector is no exception. The future of the industry lies in digital, and organisations that are slow to adopt are at risk of being left behind.

It’s no secret that it’s becoming increasingly important for organisations to embrace digital adoption. In previous tech waves, many companies were left behind simply because they were not prepared to adapt. Kodak, a company that once dominated the photography industry, failed to embrace digital technology, and eventually went bankrupt. The same can be said for Blockbuster, which was slow to react to the rise of streaming services and was eventually forced to close its doors.

The children’s activity sector also needs to be ready to adapt. With the increasing demand for digital services and the rapidly changing landscape, all organisations need to be proactive in their approach to digital adoption. The key to future success is investing in operations management, and technology can help organisations to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.

So why is now the time for the children’s activity sector to create a digital adoption plan and execute it? There are several reasons. Firstly, the world has changed significantly over the past year, and many organisations have been forced to embrace digital technologies as a result of the pandemic. The shift to remote and online services has accelerated the need for digital adoption, and those that have not yet embraced technology are at risk of being left behind.

Secondly, technology is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, making it easier than ever for organisations to adopt digital tools. The rise of cloud computing and the availability of software-as-a-service (SAAS) solutions have made it possible for even small organisations to access technology that was once only available to large corporations.

Finally, there is a growing demand from consumers for digital services. Children and their families expect to be able to book activities and access information online, and those that are not able to provide these services are likely to lose out to their competitors.

The Digital Futures 2022 report from ukactive highlighted some concerning statistics. Less than a quarter (24%) of organisations maintain and use a customer database and 42% of operators do not have a digital strategy. Therefore, there is a significant opportunity to gain a competitive advantage by embracing digital adoption.

One area that can have a significant impact on the success of digital adoption is artificial intelligence (AI). AI can help organisations to analyse large amounts of data, improve decision-making processes, and enhance customer experiences. For example, chatbots often use AI and machine learning (ML) to constantly improve conversations with customers, resulting in more relevant, customised, and innovative products and services. ChatGPT from OpenAI is the fastest app to reach one billion users and has endless possible use cases. However, businesses may not be able to take advantage of the features if they don’t complete the infrastructure and culture work required to be new-tech ready.

In conclusion, digital adoption is crucial for success in the children’s activity sector. Organisations that embrace technology and invest in their operations management will be positioned to proactively react to the next wave of technological advancements, while those that are slow to adopt are at risk of being left behind. It’s time to create a digital adoption plan and start executing it.

To help you get started on your digital adoption journey, Coordinate Sport has created a free digital adoption workbook that can guide you through the process. Download it today and take the first step towards securing your organisation’s future in the digital age. 

Coordinate Sport is a member of the ukactive Strategic Partner Group – find out more here.

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of ukactive.