Organizations across the world are under the gun nowadays to embrace digital transformation. And in all probability, C-suite executives are in need of a rapidly quicker change than what the IT industry generally follows as well-planned.
However, with the emergence of
customer-centric services like Airbnb and Uber, it has become incredibly easy to uplift the entire marketplace with little more than a mobile application. Accordingly, the burning need to shift the core business model and infrastructure operations to digitized processes is on high priority at the very least.
That is why
89% of organizations have adopted digital transformation strategies or planned to do so.
But, as you can imagine, it’s not a walk in the park, nor does it affect technology alone. While cloud computing, enhanced customer experience, workforce enablement, collaboration, and other headways are indispensable for a successful digital transformation;, its effect on industries, business hierarchies, and cultures can be equally intense.
Usually, there’s not anything big in the way of actual expertise to guide businesses since this movement has risen rather suddenly and is brand new.
But relying on what I have seen and experienced so far, there’s a set of general dos and don’ts you should follow to create the best strategy for digital transformation.
But before we go into that,
Why is Digital Transformation Crucial for Organizations?
Without going more granular or much deeper, let me give you some surface-level examples of why digital transformation is crucial today and why you shouldn’t miss out on its benefits.
Think about a brick-and-mortar bookshop that sells only offline. The business is definitely passing by tons of online and eCommerce opportunities while giving away thousands of customers.
Now, what about a payroll outsourcing firm that doesn’t use payroll software? By all chance, they’re going to dig a big hole in their pocket while their competitors will thrive with the help of an automated payroll system.
At this stage, you should be asking yourself these questions:
Do you want to be an organization that struggles to compete and is stuck in the past with age-old tools? Or do you want to utilize modern technologies before you let them fly by you?
So, are You Ready for Digital Transformation?
Digital transformation is beyond an empty buzzword or a fad. It’s more than a long-term project. By all means, it’s a radical movement that comes with growth and development opportunities.
How is the journey towards digital transformation? And how can you land a successful one?
As they say, nothing in the world worth doing is ever easy.
Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do if you want to start on the right foot and lead the pack!
DO All or Nothing
You might go through the urge to implement a new strategy on a piecemeal basis, but a digital transformation drive will not work like this. Modern concepts like DevOps or Agile don’t get along well with traditional hierarchy.
Hence, make sure that the change you bring, is extensive enough to allow processes and teams to grow but isn’t overwhelming to the extent that it damages the existing pattern.
This can be a tricky task for even the most established companies but finding the perfect balance between control and agility is totally possible as long as people are ready to embrace the change.
DO Detailed Planning
Be ready to prove the notion. Presenting a business case to fellow board members or execs isn’t unfamiliar to you. This isn’t anything different too. Start by focusing on the areas where the transformation will begin and go on to describe your process improvement plan.
Choose the right software development partner – the one interested in working with you and walking you through the way. Digital transformation is more than a business transformation framework that emphasizes the importance of services rather than the software project. Also, pick a team of experts who will be able to support and steer you through each step.
DO Prioritize the Employee Experience
Without any doubt, people are the most important assets of your organization. The success of a digital transformation initiative entirely relies on how you prioritize employee experience throughout the process.
If the change benefits your employees, they will happily embrace it and be an active part of a holistic work environment. And to facilitate an improved employee experience, focus on helping people grow their careers, maximizing employee engagement, and educating/training core skills.
DON’T Run with the Crowd
Technology alone should never drive your digital transformation need. Be very careful while choosing the suitable technology for your organization that will facilitate the change.
Ensure you don't follow the crowd just for the sake of it; for example, just because Robotic Process Automation is one of the latest tech trends doesn't mean it will be useful to your business and customers. Keep your focus on technology and tools with your organizational goals in mind instead of running with the pack and using popular technologies.
DON’T Let Fear Stop Yourself
Sometimes, fear can hold you back and keep your company from growing. As a matter of fact, “Resistance to change” is the biggest reason 70% of digital transformation initiatives fail. Are you finding it difficult to brush aside the resistance identified in your team?
It doesn’t mean that you need to take a leap blindly. Planning is definitely important. However, I have seen many executives being afraid of adopting a change because they think their team won't be on board.
But if you let this fear restrain yourself, you will end up struggling to catch up with the market demand and to use the technology and tools others are utilizing to get ahead of the curve. Remember that if your people can’t change, they can’t grow either.
DON’T Stop Learning
Foster an open mind and be eager to learn new business arts. Technology is advancing at a breakneck speed, and it does not stop or slow down for you to catch up. So, if you stop learning, you will stop growing.
Encourage your people to work on their ideas, take risks, and experiment. You won’t stumble upon breakthrough ideas if you don’t think outside of the box and take chances. Giving your team a forum to be creative will lead to generating ingenious ideas on how to pull off a full-scale business transformation.
The Endnote
Digital transformation has become a new standard for global business. With an effective strategy in place, your enterprise will have the power to drive innovation instead of playing the keeping up game. And what follows is a competitive advantage, higher ROI, and increased productivity that you can always leverage in the upcoming years.
The key is to approach the process as a set of accomplishable milestones. Before you know it, you will perceive a progressive momentum developing in your business, and you will be ready to shift to the next.
So, where are you planning to begin? And where will you move from there? The choice is entirely yours!
