Adrian Goodman.
‘That’s how we’ve always done it.’... The six words restraining your business from realising its full growth potential and, says Adrian Goodman, of PPX Consulting, putting survival at risk.
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IF THERE is one phrase guaranteed to stifle business growth, “That’s how we’ve always done it.” is it.
It is often said with the best of intentions – why fix something that is not broken? But, in reality, sticking with outdated processes is one of the biggest threats to efficiency, profitability and ultimately business survival.
With technology evolving at breakneck speed, failing to modernise financial processes is not just an inconvenience… it is a missed (and potentially costly) opportunity.
The rise of SaaS solutions, AI-driven automation and smarter integrations means that businesses willing to embrace change can save countless hours, reduce errors and improve cash flow. Yet too many SMEs still rely on manual, inefficient work flows, not realising that a better way exists.
Many business owners assume that because a process works, it is the best way to do things but just because a system functions does not mean that it is efficient and just because it was once the best approach does not mean that is still the case.
At PPX, we have helped many SMEs to improve inefficiencies in their financial processes, saving them time, reducing errors and freeing up resources. A few solutions we have implemented:
Automating employee expenses Instead of spreadsheets, emails, and manual data entry, we implemented a simple web-based form that allows employees to submit expenses digitally. Once approved, they flow straight into Xero, ready for payment and cutting admin time significantly.
Streamlining supplier payments One of our clients was manually keying in every supplier payment into their banking platform.
We created a tailored Excel template that allows bulk payments to be uploaded direct to their bank, reducing both errors and workload.
Automating invoice processing By integrating modern accounts payable software, we helped a client to remove the headache of manually entering supplier invoices.
Now invoices are scanned, extracted, coded and posted directly into Xero with minimal human intervention.
Upgrading financial reporting For businesses still copying and pasting data from Sage 50 into Excel, we have implemented ODBC drivers that pull live data directly into their reports.
This means real-time financial insights at the click of a button with no manual updates required.
The SaaS landscape is evolving rapidly and AI is being embedded into everyday business tools. The businesses that thrive will be those that embrace automation, smarter integrations and data-driven decision-making.
Whether it is reducing admin time, improving accuracy or gaining real-time insights, modern finance technology is transforming the way in which SMEs operate.
The only question is: will you take advantage of it?
People love to say “Don’t reinvent the wheel,” as if that is a good reason to avoid change. But here’s the thing… the wheel has been reinvented.
The first wheels, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, were solid wooden discs. Over time, they evolved into spoked wheels, then rubber tyres, then precision-engineered alloys.
Similar advancements happen daily in business and finance. You might not notice them at first but if someone swapped your slimline laptop for a boxy PC running Windows 95, you would quickly realise.
The real question is whether you are moving forward or staying stuck in the past.
At PPX Consulting, we help businesses review and improve their processes, ensuring you are not only working harder but also working smarter. Whether it is automating workflows, integrating financial tools or eliminating inefficiencies, we can help you to modernise your approach and reclaim valuable time.
If you are ready to stop doing things the way they have always been done and start embracing smarter solutions, let’s talk.
- Adrian Goodman is managing director of PPX Consulting and author of Achieving Profitable Growth: Use the ‘Four Points of Control’ to grow your profit and your business. Available on Amazon.
- Online Excel training at ppxtraining.co.uk/practical-excel-skills/
- Find out more at ppxconsulting.co.uk / / 01536 904 886.
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