Digital technology for business accelerated tremendously in the last decade to take a pivotal role in optimizing the customer experience, operational processes, and models. The pursuit for digital transformation redefines the corporate approach to business development, operational excellence, sustenance, delivery, and end-user experience in the continually evolving post-pandemic marketplace.
With business systems now dependent on big data and the unprecedented shift to online transactions, the need for evolving with the times ensures your company remains competitive. For instance, adopting in-memory computing scales up your real-time data analytical capacity and Application Programming Interface (API) for optimum efficiency and delivery. However, a perfect digital transformation strategy that defines business goals and creates a framework to drive this initiative is necessary. Your digital strategy must include the following vital areas for a successful and constant transformation.
Define objectives and design your roadmap
Embarking on any endeavor without clear objectives is an exercise in futility. Start your transformation journey by setting goals to act as beacons of focus and direction. That way, your team pursues specific targets to a successful conclusion using defined performance metrics. By building a digital integration hub, the team can aggregate existing data sources and optimize the performance of the Operational Data Store (ODS) to avert the need for new models.
The essence of digital technology is in the optimization of disparate systems for better real-time processing through a superior API. Under this principle, your objectives could include cost reduction, better customer experience, enhanced employee performance/safety, and operational excellence. Integrating superior digital technology transforms any of the preceding with remarkable results. Adopt a structured, evolving, and objective-driven process to guide your digital transformation successfully.
Start with leadership transformation
An attempt at digital transformation threatens to disrupt the established corporate culture and may encounter resistance. Leadership and a workforce with little digital experience feel threatened by presumed job losses due to the proposed technological intervention. You need digital-savvy leaders at the top to guide the workers while introducing and directing the envisaged transformation. Leaders competent in digital technologies and familiar with the company’s specific needs will deliver a successful and comprehensive transformation.
A competent leadership also understands the cost implications in the proposed transformation process. They make great financial decisions that help the company spend wisely on the implementation effort. Deploy expert leaders in support roles with specific responsibilities reporting to the transformation office. This arrangement creates a seamless top-down governance structure with better metrics for progress evaluation. Once this team is in place, offer incentives to ensure total commitment to the transformation effort. A dedicated and motivated team is the surest way to a successful change.
Prepare employees for the expected changes
Transformations entail overturns of known norms and practices in any environment and may elicit resistance. Resistance to poorly or hurriedly executed changes could lead to demotivation and low performance among the employees. Failed execution leads to confusion and uncertainty with disastrous consequences to performance and productivity. A prudent digital transformation strategy prepares workers and customers adequately to accept the new changes.
One key to employee preparation is empowerment through active collaboration on the transformation project. Encourage workers to offer suggestions for digitization in their areas of operation and to own the process as users. Collaboration ensures a tailored transformation for every process with a high degree of success and relevance. Since changes introduce new practices, provide a continuous training program to ensure smooth transitions. Allow for open and remote working options that are digitally oriented to maximize the benefits of the new systems.
Communicate your transformation program
Transformations are similar to moving houses. The family must be aware of the proposed move, time, and destination. In simple terms, communicate the organization’s transformation plans, strategy, objectives, and vision to all stakeholders. The relevant information ensures a smooth implementation and a successful digital transformation. Discard traditional communication channels for trendy interactive platforms that include live chats on internal social media.
Speedy, concise, relevant, and targeted messaging is the hallmark of the current communication in the digital space. Use communication channels creatively to disseminate emerging changes while receiving feedback to drive the transformation process. Effective communication can help direct behavioral change in employees and align their thinking to the envisaged transformation.
Develop capability for the future
Possession of the right skill sets and talent in the organization creates a solid foundation for a successful digital transformation. Employees who understand the internal functions and have skills in technology become an asset in the transformation process. This category of workers can serve as integrators bridging the divide between the conventional and digital systems. Their input is vital for another central element of the transformation process – the digital integration hub.
Redefine the roles and functions of these employees to fit in with the planned transformation program. Hire or engage external digital experts alongside the in-house team to handle the technology innovations. The synergy between the integrators and the techies ensures a successful and sustainable transformation. For future growth, invest adequately in the development of internal digital talent.
Align your digital tools to current trends
Study the trends in your particular market or industry niche to understand their dynamics before launching your digital transformation program. Digital technology is fluid and constantly evolves in a way that demands smart execution to avoid redundancy. Whereas 4G was sufficient previously, the platform lacks the capacity for big data and cloud computing that drives business today. Currently, the 5G platform ensures your digital transformation is versatile and possesses the capability to integrate real-time big data analytics, robotic process automation, artificial intelligence (AI), enhanced employee and user experience.
Post-pandemic trends lean towards e-commerce stores, self-service portals, online information platforms, virtual client engagement, telemedicine, etc., to offer a better customer experience. Adopt e-Learning that is flexible and convenient for employees instead of in-person training.
Online training is trendy and cuts costs for the company releasing revenues for further funding. One key takeaway is that digital transformation constantly evolves and requires scalable tools to keep pace and relevance.
