Digital Transformation

The web is relied on by everyone for everything and has pushed digital transformation (called DT and sometimes DX) into a critical necessity for every businesses. Recent surveys of directors, CEOs, and senior executives rated digital transformation (DT) risk as their #1 concern.

Consumer and business reliance on the Web continues unabated for shopping, customer service, ordering, research and nearly anything you can think of. How can your business transform and reorganize to measure up online?

The focus of the “How to” of DT is straightforward. The technology enabling Digital Transformation provides possibilities for efficiency gains and customer intimacy, in areas like eCommerce, digital advertising platforms, analytics and dashboards, customer service bots, social programs and more.

The biggest challenge facing DT efforts is the lack of the right mindset to change. Also, these initiatives often also fail to recognize that if current organizational practices are flawed, DT will simply magnify the flaws.

Before embarking on your transformation process (as you either refine or refocus your technology), firstly ensure you have a clear understanding of how DT will impact your business, the people in your organization and your customers. Consider then what components of technology are needed for adoption and what new or existing legacy systems are required.

DT Key Considerations

Consider the following  key lessons to help your DT efforts succeed.

#1 Business Strategy

Figure our your business strategy before making any investments and guide your activities by your broader business strategy. 

#2 Look Inside

Work with your current staff who have intimate knowledge about what works and what does not in your daily operations, together with outside experts vs outside experts alone. 

#3 Customer Experiences

Seek in depth input from your customers. This will assist you in clearly identifying how to tailor your changes to their needs.

#4 Recognize Change
When employees perceive DT could threaten their job they resist change. Recognize those fears and explain the DT opportunity.

#5 Agility

Traditional hierarchies are often in the way with DT. Since DT is inherently uncertain changes need to be made provisionally, decisions need to be made quickly and multiple groups need to be involved.

Bottom Line: This has been a year when businesses really needed technology to assist with customer communication. And, effective digital transformation is not just a technology journey - it is a business journey, an end-to-end customer-centric overhaul that reflects your business priorities and includes processes, people, policies and tech..