Digital technologies are here to stay and businesses cannot do without transforming their operations to digital mode. Digital business transformation or DBT not only covers devices and software but also involves a change in the organization to materially improve performance. The massive use of analytical tools and applications, mobile tools, and platforms to build shareable digital capabilities is changing the way businesses compete with each other. One thing that every business needs to take care of while undertaking digital business transformation is to plan out the whole process well.
Key Drivers of Digital Business Transformation
The need for digital business transformation is driven by several factors including end-to-end customer experience optimization, operational flexibility, and innovation. The process strives to strike a good balance between people, processes, and systems. It covers a large number of processes, transactions, technological innovations, changes, stakeholders, and external factors that may vary from one industry to industry, region to region, and organization to organization. This requires the help of specialists who have the experience and knowledge to help an organization to transform its’ business systems to facilitate better communication from anywhere and on any device.
The use of evolving technologies like cloud computing, big data, advanced analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and mobile mobility not only enables digital transformation but also highlights the need for a cyber resilience strategy. The digitalization of systems raises the risks of cyber threats and attacks.
Digital transformation is not just Technology!
Some areas that are covered under the process of digital business transformation are:
All Business functions
This includes operations, marketing, human resources, administration, and customer service.
Business Processes
This involves connecting all the processes and activities digitally to achieve specific business goals.
Business Models
The transformation involves the basic business model and helps it tap novel approaches to boost revenues and enhance productivity.
Business Ecosystems
This includes the networks of partners and stakeholders besides the regulatory framework that governs the business. Digital transformation is done in such a way as to ensure better adherence to regulations and improved networking between the various stakeholders.
Asset Management
Information plays a key role in the running of its business and the use of advanced technologies to process and analyze it is important.
For successful digital business transformation, there needs to be a change in the mindset of the entire organization. The adoption of a holistic mindset involves considering digital transformation in terms of its impact on the whole organization. This involves implementing new technologies and hiring people who can use digital technologies besides training the existing team to operate them. This also means ensuring that all the stakeholders understand the new technologies and are willing to work together as a team.
Tips for Effective Digital Business Transformation
Digital transformation has to be carried out after careful consideration and in a planned manner to achieve the desired outcome in terms of improved business performance and better customer experience. Here are some tips to ensure that digital business transformation yields the desired results:
Identify the Focus Area
Do adequate research and seek professional help to decide which processes should be digitalized first. Start by focusing on areas like customer experience, operations, innovation, and marketing that have an early payback. Find applications and solutions that match you’re the culture of your business and fall within your budget.
Focus on consumers
Outline the entire customer journey and then identify how digitalization can make the process more efficient. Transform the user experience to align with customer needs. Studies reveal that 40% of digital transformation spending comes from customer targeting and engagement use cases.
Create an Adaptive atmosphere
Merely introducing digital methods is not enough. You need to ensure that your organization is ready to adapt to them. Encourage the members of your organization to quickly accept changes and make the transformation quick. This involves educating your employees and stakeholders about the planned changes and the benefits of accepting them.
Initiate the Changes from the Top
Digital transformation should be initiated by the top management. This will provide the remaining stakeholders with he necessary confidence to adopt and incorporate the new technologies into their tasks.
Set up a Good budget
Digital transformation involves investment in technologies that will enhance the efficiency of your organization so set up a good budget to implement it successfully. Choose expert companies that specialize in offering customized solutions for the digital transformation of your business.
Choose Technologies that will drive growth
Data analytics, integrated platforms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are some of the technologies that are expected to drive growth for businesses. Choose your transformation areas and technologies keeping in mind their growth prospects.
Also, businesses need to remember that digital transformation is an ongoing process and not a one-time effort. It needs to be ensured that the organization and its constituents are willing to adapt to the continuous process of innovation and new technologies.
Marcelo Fincher is a blogger & writer on technology related topics with years of experience in studying technological advancements. In his spare time, Marcelo likes to read books and take a walk on the beach.