Edition 1: Unlocking growth through technology

Welcome to the Sage Download, a brand-new newsletter that covers all you need to know about how technology is driving business growth around the world.

Every month, we’ll be sharing news, views and insights from Sage and partners. As well as exploring how to build and run organisations that can thrive in today's digital age, we'll look at the role played by the broader business ecosystem – from accountants and advisers to policymakers and service providers – in embracing technology to boost efficiency, identify new opportunities and give businesses the greatest chance of success.

Our focus ranges from the practical applications of generative AI, to strategic guidance on digital transformation – all through the lens of how technology can be a catalyst for business growth. Sage’s latest research shows just how much importance the world’s small and medium businesses attach to incorporating cutting-edge technology in their daily operations.

Kickstarting 2025 with our CEO's technological insights

To kick off 2025 and set the pace for the year ahead, financial reporters David Prosser and Chris Torney spoke to Sage’s CEO, Steve Hare, to assess the state of play for SMBs this year. Steve sets out the challenges and tailwinds businesses are likely to encounter over the next 12 months, and highlights how innovations like Sage Copilot are already helping firms boost their productivity.

Embrace innovation to drive growth

A commitment to digital transformation and exploring new innovations can make businesses more efficient and effective. We’ve spoken to leading advisers and tech experts to get their tips for how business leaders can integrate high-quality technology planning into their strategic thinking

Tech-enabled accountants boost business success

Finally, don't miss our special feature on the accountants who are leveraging technology to revolutionise businesses everywhere. We believe these professionals are the true year-end heroes – and they don't get enough credit for the innovative work they do to enhance business performance. Hear their thoughts on how technological tools are reshaping the industry and driving growth for the organisations they work with.

For more insights, visit Sage's Newsroom

What we're reading

Late payments are the bane of many SMBs, which is why e-invoicing has the potential to be such a game-changer. Already well established, the global e-invoicing market is in course to treble in size over the next three years – and in the UK, the new government wants businesses to take advantage of the trend.

The buzz around generative AI shows no signs of fading away, and an increasing number of businesses are unlocking the potential of GenAI to transform their accounting and finance processes – enabling them to operate more competitively.

Nine in every 10 accountancy professionals complain they are still spending valuable time on repetitive manual tasks – but only half of them have made efforts to automate such processes. We’ve identified the six areas where automation is most likely to pay off, from bank reconciliations to payroll. Meanwhile, our Practice of Now report shines a light on how accountants in six major markets plan to tackle the challenges they face in 2025.

And whether it’s using data analysis to work out your carbon footprint or replacing customer visits with video-conferencing, technology and sustainability have long gone hand in hand. Sage's recent report, Unlocking Sustainable Finance for SMEs, offers valuable insights into how tech can facilitate sustainable growth.

What we're watching

Innovation isn't just a buzzword – it's a necessity for businesses that want to thrive on the global stage. In this inspiring video, futurist Tracey Follows delves into how you can stay on top of the latest trends in innovation, and understand what tomorrow might look like.

What we're listening to

Looking to achieve a better work-life balance in 2025? In this engaging podcast, entrepreneurs Nicola Robinson and Tolu Abisogun explains how they use technology to run their businesses efficiently while also maintaining their work-life balance.

We hope you enjoy the Sage Download and find the content as inspiring and informative as we do. Join us as we lead the conversation on how to use technology to unlock growth and help your business flow seamlessly into the future.

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