“Digital transformation” has been a buzzword well before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In those pre-COVID times, digital transformation was only seen as a fancy way of saying that a business was being modernized. Many assumed that digital transformation is a one-time effort; a new tool/technology is introduced and it is considered done. Often an initiative spearheaded and undertaken by a handful of stalwarts within the company, it didn’t often have the support or involvement of other stakeholders.
Shifting Perspectives
Today, we hear the term “digital transformation” once again. But this time, it sounds different, important, and even necessary! Did the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to this paradigm shift in perspective? Indeed, it appears so!
In the post-COVID world, the importance of digital transformation is coming to the forefront, as the pandemic forced people to stay indoors and search for ways to work efficiently from home. There has been a pressing need for the rapid rise in the use of technology across industries and around the world. Workers and employers are connecting digitally and learning new skills and ways to manage their responsibilities through the use of technology. And this is pushing businesses, institutions, and governments out of their comfort zones and into the threshold of digital transformation.
Several experts are also stating that digital transformation is the way to building a resilient business in the new normal, causing many businesses of all sizes to consider it seriously.
If you are one of them, here are three important facts you must first know:
Digital transformation is not easy
Over 70% of digital transformations fail. Although different organizations fail due to different reasons, mismatched goals among management teams, the lack of expert support, a top-down approach that doesn’t involve employees and end users, and “exhaustion” from attempting to scale/transform too quickly are among the top reasons reported by companies.
Commitment is one of the most crucial elements to kick-start a digital transformation. There will be challenges, but if you keep the end goal in sight, you can keep at it till you succeed.
Digital transformation is a journey
You can choose to call it a journey, a process, or a metamorphosis – but what digital transformation is not is something that can be achieved overnight. From strategizing to setting clear goals and finding the right technology that will work well with your employees and customers – there’s a lot that leads the way to a solid digital transformation.
Moreover, for a digital transformation to stay relevant, it is important for it to also adapt and evolve with the progress of your company.
Digitize, digitalize, then digitally transform
The road to digital transformation begins with digitization. In other words, the conversion of analog data and documents to digital format. Digitization is the important first step because the digitized data becomes the source for leveraging digital technologies; or digitalization.
Digital transformation goes beyond digitization and digitalization (but includes the two) to an organization-wide adoption of digital technology, accompanied by cultural change. Digital transformation, therefore, cannot be complete without the stakeholders.
There are Challenges, Threats and a World of Opportunities
While digital technology has paved the way for many employees to work from home during the pandemic, it has also underlined multiple challenges and barriers that people and communities may have. Uneducated people, for example, cannot enjoy the luxury of working from home. The case is similar to those who cannot afford a computer or stable internet connection and those in regions that lack proper infrastructure.
Another reason why technology is sometimes seen as an enemy in developing countries is the fear that robots and technological innovations will reduce the need for manpower. It is true that technology can replace low-skilled manual labor in a manufacturing unit to mass-produce products faster and, now, to reduce the risk of disease spread. It is also true that the rise of popular online stores that offer contactless shopping experiences can put physical shops at risk.
However, technology is also an enabler of jobs and opportunities, as it has led to the creation of many new occupations and jobs. It can create safer, more comfortable, and efficient alternatives. It can help companies grow and do business in countries around the world, without the need for physical presence. The digital world is also becoming a platform for people of all backgrounds to showcase their talents and get recognized.
Digital transformation can mean different things to different organizations and different people. What you need is the right vision, commitment, expert support, and the right tools that match your needs and are ready to journey from one stage to the next with you.
CloudNow’s Akku BCOR is a holistic solution that is designed to power your digital transformation, regardless of whether your business is struggling to survive, trying to revive operations, ready to drive productivity, or preparing to thrive in the new normal! Get in touch with us to know more.
