Digital transformation: The number one secret for success

What is digital transformation?

Digital transformation, also known as IT transformation, refers to the widespread adoption of new technologies to enhance business operations and processes, ultimately benefiting customers. The approach varies among companies, but the core principle is leveraging technology to improve operations, culture, processes, productivity, and customer experience.

A proactive IT partner will conduct thorough assessments and analyses of business problems, translating these insights into actionable solutions by implementing the appropriate technology to address issues, automate processes, and boost efficiency. By utilizing technology, businesses can overcome bottlenecks, transform processes, and effectively scale, ensuring security and success.

Many businesses have already embarked on digital transformations, while others plan to do so shortly. In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, all businesses must inevitably undergo digital transformations to adapt, stay ahead of the competition, and exceed customer expectations.

So, how can you ensure a successful digital transformation?

Digital transformations are often perceived as an IT issue, but they’re a people-centric endeavor. With the right expert IT support provider, technology rarely hinders the success of digital transformation. Instead, it’s the people themselves who play a crucial role.

Digital transformation should be viewed as a company-wide restructuring, where technology aims to enhance the overall organization, encompassing processes and company culture. Therefore, every individual within the business must receive comprehensive and active involvement.

When digital transformation strategies are first introduced, employees often express hesitation. They worry that the transformation will alter their job responsibilities, increase their workload, or change training practices. Many employees assume that introducing new technology and automating processes will diminish their current role, resulting in reduced job security or limited career advancement.

Even the most well-executed IT transformations can be hindered by employee fear or frustration. After all, your employees will be the ones using the new technology and experiencing the organizational restructuring. Therefore, for an IT transformation to be successful, all staff members must be informed, engaged, and involved in the process.

Inform your employees about the upcoming digital transformation.

The first and most crucial step is to thoroughly inform your employees about the digital transformation. In the initial stages, explain the reasons behind the transformation and how it will enhance your business and facilitate growth. Ensure you gather their feedback and address any concerns or questions they may have. An employee satisfaction platform like leapsome can be an excellent tool for this, as it allows you to ask regular questions in the form of forums, polls, and ratings on a scale of 1-10.

Next, maintain open communication throughout the transformation process. Digital transformations can be lengthy, so make sure to keep your employees updated regularly. Be consistent and provide insightful explanations. It’s crucial that your staff is aware of all the changes and feels like they’re part of the process.

Involve your employees in the digital transformation.

Informing your employees is not enough to ensure a successful transformation; you need to actively involve them as well. It’s essential that all teams and departments feel included, avoiding the assumption that the transformation is solely an issue for the IT department or the Managing Director.

• Assemble a diverse leadership team. When discussing digital transformation, establish a varied senior team that can collaborate with your IT Support partner on the project. This team should consist of senior members from all departments, not just those who handle IT. After all, you need to create an IT roadmap aligned with your overall business goals, which can only be achieved by involving a diverse group of people.
• Involve all staff, regardless of their specialization or seniority, in decision-making about the technology you want to implement. Ensure it aligns with the users. For instance, involve operational teams to test and evaluate new technology. Consider their feedback to plan a tailored digital transformation that aligns with your business goals and workforce needs.
• Identify key ambassadors across different departments to facilitate the digital transformation. These individuals will be more involved, gathering ideas from colleagues and providing feedback and suggestions for their teams.
• Address employee concerns about job security and technology replacement. Explain that technology will primarily replace mundane and unproductive tasks, freeing employees to focus on more important and impactful responsibilities. Implementing the right technology can enhance employees’ skills, career progression, and job satisfaction.
• Don’t overlook training. Provide comprehensive initial training and regular refresher sessions to ensure effective utilization of new technology. An informed and knowledgeable team will drive success and maximize the benefits of the digital transformation, reaching your full potential.

Let’s recap!

What exactly is digital transformation?

Digital transformation refers to the widespread adoption or modification of technology within a business to enhance processes, operations, productivity, culture, and customer experience. By implementing digital transformations, businesses can experience growth, increased revenue generation, improved efficiency, enhanced security, and effective scaling.

Now, let’s delve into how you can ensure the success of your digital transformation.

Firstly, it’s crucial to prioritize your people. Ensure that your staff is fully informed and actively involved in the entire digital transformation process. Regardless of how advanced the technology or how competent your IT support provider may be, digital transformations cannot reach their full potential without the participation and support of your employees.

To effectively involve your employees in the digital transformation, consider the following strategies:

• Form a leadership team: Assemble a leadership team that includes employees from various departments. This team will serve as a driving force behind the transformation and guide the rest of the organization.
• Engage in technology testing and feedback: Involve a diverse range of employees in testing the new technologies and providing valuable feedback. This collaborative approach will help identify potential issues and ensure that the technologies meet the needs of your workforce.
• Identify key ambassadors: Identify individuals within your organization who have a strong understanding of the digital transformation and can serve as ambassadors for the initiative. These ambassadors will play a crucial role in promoting the transformation and fostering employee engagement.
• Communicate the benefits: Communicate the benefits of the digital transformation to your employees. Explain how it will enhance their work experience, improve productivity, and contribute to the overall success of the business.
• Provide comprehensive training: Thoroughly train your employees on the new technologies that will be implemented during the transformation. Ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively use these technologies and contribute to the success of the initiative.

If you’re considering undertaking digital transformation or seeking further guidance on ensuring its success, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Business Technology Advisor. They can provide valuable insights and support to help you navigate the digital transformation process and achieve your business goals.