Making a Difference for business advisors

Everything you need to help your customers gain the most from the free-to-use #MakingADifference service

"Making a difference is a free service that matches businesses to local technology experts. It is about helping businesses to grow and be more productive by using technology to its best advantage. As business advisors, this free service can help you to help your customers make their investments in technology work much harder for their businesses".

Jewel Hermonstine

Head of Making a Difference initiative

How matching works

Our matching service is independent, simple, and completely free. Here’s how it works:

Both local businesses and local technology experts fill out a registration form—in plain English, no jargon.

For businesses, the form helps them outline what they need technology to do, or identify the challenges they’re facing with their current systems.

For experts, it’s about showcasing their strengths. Local experts provide details on the business challenges they can solve, their specific areas of expertise, and the industry accreditations they hold.

At Larato, we thoroughly vet each expert to ensure they meet our high standards. If they’re not quite there yet, we guide them on what’s needed to join the network.

With over 250 expert companies ready to help, the service connects businesses with trusted, skilled partners who truly understand their needs. This initiative seamlessly adds technology solutions to the broader business advice already offered, covering everything from funding and finance to net zero strategies and skills development.

Technology is a vital enabler of business growth and success in today’s economy. It is also becoming more complex and harder to buy.

Our Making a Difference initiative is designed to help businesses make smarter, more strategic decisions about technology investments. We know that purchasing the right technology can be a daunting task for many businesses, especially when they are unsure of which solutions will best fit their unique needs. Through this initiative, we connect businesses with trusted local technology suppliers who not only provide the right solutions but also offer personalised, ongoing support.

Why technology matters for business growth

Businesses are eager for growth—they want to boost productivity and expand their market reach. And they know that technology is key to making this happen.

Right now, 97% of businesses rely on technology, and an impressive 42% consider it absolutely critical to their success. But they also want to change the way they buy it. Almost 7 in 10 would prefer to buy from a local expert, and it’s not just about price—it’s about relationships.

A local expert can help them choose the right technology, offer it at a competitive price, and be there when they need support. That kind of ongoing, personalised service makes all the difference.

Let’s break it down. Businesses need technology, and they need it to perform specific tasks that drive their success. But technology is getting harder to buy, and many businesses are struggling to make the most of their budget.

Here’s the good news: expert help is right on their doorstep. The problem? Most businesses aren’t aware of it.

By connecting buyers with local experts, businesses get better solutions, local support thrives, and everyone benefits.

So, how do we bring businesses and local technology experts together? That’s where Making a Difference comes in. Our service matches businesses with the right technology experts to help them grow and succeed. It’s a win-win for everyone.

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, technology plays a critical role in driving productivity, expanding market reach, and improving customer engagement. Yet, many businesses find it challenging to keep up with the pace of innovation. This is where Larato steps in. We help businesses cut through the confusion, ensuring that they invest in technology that aligns with their goals and delivers measurable value.

Our research shows that 97% of businesses rely on technology for their day-to-day operations, with 42% considering it critical to their success. However, not all businesses have the expertise to select the right tools. Without proper guidance, they may overspend on unnecessary features or fail to integrate the technology effectively into their workflow. This leads to inefficiencies and, in some cases, technology that doesn’t deliver the expected return on investment.

Why local experts matter

One of the key challenges businesses face when purchasing technology is the lack of local support. Many companies purchase technology online, often from global brands like Microsoft or Amazon, which can offer convenience but may not provide the tailored support businesses need. When issues arise, businesses are left without the in-person assistance that could help them quickly resolve problems and maximise the value of their investment.

Larato’s Making a Difference initiative changes this by connecting businesses with over 250 local technology experts. These experts are not only highly skilled but are also invested in helping local businesses thrive. They understand the specific challenges and opportunities faced by companies in their area and can provide hands-on support when it’s needed most. This personal connection creates a relationship based on trust, ensuring that businesses receive ongoing advice and support as their technology needs evolve.

How we can Make a Difference together

Our service is simple, free, and highly effective. We’ve built a platform that matches businesses with the right local technology experts based on their unique requirements. Here’s how it works:

Business Registration: Businesses complete a short, straightforward registration form outlining their technology needs, challenges, and goals.
Expert Matching: Our system matches them with local technology experts who have the skills and experience to meet those needs. These experts are verified by Larato to ensure they meet our high standards of service and expertise.
Ongoing Support: Once matched, businesses receive ongoing support from their chosen technology provider, ensuring that their technology continues to work for them, not against them.
Maximising Investment: Our service also helps businesses take advantage of available funding and grants. For eligible businesses, we ensure that any grant money awarded is spent in the local economy, further benefiting the community.

By bridging the gap between businesses and local experts, we create a win-win-win situation. Businesses get the right technology with the right support, local technology providers grow their customer base, and the local economy thrives as a result.

The right solution for the challenge, every time

Every business is unique, and we know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to technology. That’s why our service is designed to be flexible and tailored to the specific needs of each business. Whether a company is looking to improve productivity, enhance customer engagement, or expand into new markets, we match them with an expert who can provide the right solution.

Our local experts cover a wide range of technology areas, including:

Cloud computing: Helping businesses move to the cloud for better flexibility and scalability.
Cybersecurity: Ensuring businesses are protected from online threats and data breaches.
Automation: Streamlining operations to save time and reduce costs.
IT infrastructure: Setting up and maintaining reliable, efficient systems.
Digital transformation: Guiding businesses through the process of adopting new technologies to stay competitive.

These experts don’t just provide one-off solutions; they build long-term relationships with the businesses they serve, ensuring that they continue to grow and succeed with the help of the right technology.

Billions could be kept in local economies

Making a Difference keeps money in local economies. Larato’s in-depth analysis shows that £billions of spend on technology could be retained regionally.

For example, connecting local businesses to local technology experts could keep over £2 billion in the West Midlands, £2 billion in Greater Manchester and more than £4 billion in the London area.

If you would like a copy of our analysis, please email ‘Support for Business Advisors‘.

Get involved

Whether you are a business advisor, a business wanting more from its technology, or a local technology expert, you can be part of the Making a Difference initiative. By working together, we can ensure that businesses get the technology they need to grow, while supporting local suppliers and boosting the local economy.

Our service is free, simple to use, and backed by decades of expertise. We’re here to help you every step of the way, from identifying the right technology to providing ongoing support as your business grows.