As in the Western movie, our epic story is about Digital Transformation and businesses which form a slightly uncomfortable alliance while looking for the treasure that is: SUCCESS.
What are the stakes of Digital Transformation for businesses?
Taking an interest into our previous article, where DT ( Digital Transformation) was specifically defined, a review of how it is done and how can it affect you, was simply the correct thing to do. We cannot consider fully the digital transformation process as a whole business model process until we see how it changes other elements of an organisation such as: strategic, organisational and cultural, workplace and even the ethic stakes.
- The strategic stakes: As entrepreneurs, we have to think strategically when we want to develop our business, starting from a business model to having a clear roadmap. The same shall happen also when we want to implement a transformation within our processes. Disruption is the word we use for what DT can offer and if we were to think of strategically implementing it, then our business would have a unique product and process, one that would boost it at the top of the market place. For instance, ride-sharing companies like: Uber, Lyft, Bolt and others planned their DT process, by creating a mobile application that is connecting drivers with clients, while disrupting the entire user experience resulting into a movement that has shaken up the taxi market everywhere.
- The organisational, workplace, cultural & ethics stakes: The success driven factors of DT into a business are made by what happens inside an organisation and not that much by what technology can do to you. This process enables the business to reimagine all the aspects, from communication to operations. DT is all about building a digital culture within your employees, even if the discrepancy can be sometimes high, from generations X to Y and Z, where some might embrace the change because they are used to it, and others may fear it because they did not work with it before.
The key to success is to communicate clearly what benefits can DT bring (i.e. flexibility, efficiency, increased productivity) to motivate every player involved to commit to the new approach.
Recreating “the good, the bad, and the ugly” into “the good, the better, and the best”
The symptoms: When companies feel like they want to be first on a trend or do not want to be left out, will jump on it because it might seem exciting. The same is happening with the Digital Transformation current. Technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence), Business Process Automation, IoT (Internet of Things) are still new to some and mainstream to others. That just encourages the newbies to hop on the adventure and make these technologies, a differentiating accessory to their products and services.
The good in this story? A lot of companies are starting their journey on the Digital Transformation road and manage to reach the desired success, transforming them into inspirational examples, motivating others to join the movement. Everything seems to be a nice fairytale from the outside, but the truth is that there is a huge amount of work behind, invisible for the untrained eye, to compensate all the threats.
The bad that might be waiting just around the corner? First aspect that we should mention is represented by the stakes that one company must take into consideration before starting this adventure, which can make the technological implementation fail or succeed. Another one to consider is the security of your digital solution if you decide to publish it online. The last aspect in our list is referring to the success that you might not experience right after implementing it and the effort that needs to be invested to change old habits, before seeing any major results.
The ugly that might become visible into your reality?Digitalisation supposes tightening the collaboration of different teams that might handle different aspect of the business and consequently have different priorities. The threat here is that in the case that it is not handled correctly it might result in new barriers arising. Inefficiencies will start becoming more visible, leading to the urge need of implementing significant changes into the current ways of working. Moreover, if the digital solutions handling the daily operational flows did not go through all the needed steps due to budget or time constrains, an endless blaming game will start for every problem that might appear through the day.
The magic elixir: When companies actually hop on the Digital Transformation ride, partnering with a trust-worthy expert is what will get them safe to the destination. On their journey, their partner will give them the needed support in the preparation phase and further on when implementing the tailored made solution optimised for their business flows. Thus, they will achieve their state of digital maturity that will make them ready and capable for driving to success.
The good? Partnering up with proper specialists is maximising the good parts and the potential benefits that Digital Transformation brings. Continuous support to follow the business development goals throughout the years it’s a must.
The better? Ensuring that all the stakes of DT are taken into consideration and have feasible solutions for addressing every single one of it, is a key part of the process.
The best? The companies that have the courage and motivation to start the Digital Transformation ride, after hard work and determination will evolve and reach their strategic objectives while finding new ways to bring disruptive ideas to live.
Are you thinking that you have the potential, motivation and courage to start this adventure, then we should meet!
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