For some businesses, a digital transformation is well overdue. But, if you have reluctant staff members and an infrastructure that needs a complete overhaul, how can you complete what sounds like a gargantuan task with a minimum of fuss and effort?
According to this study from management consultancy McKinsey, only 30% of digital transformations are deemed successful.
In this post, we’ve identified three different things you need to contemplate before you put together your digital transformation strategy.
Company culture
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving digital transformation is a stagnant company culture. If your organisation is made up of groups of people who are steadfastly attached to the tried and tested ways of doing things, you’ll find it difficult to institute organisation-wide change.
You need to take the time to ensure that everyone in your company understands the changes and, more importantly, understands the reasons behind these changes.
With an understanding of the goals of the organisation, your staff will be more receptive to the changes that lie ahead. Without this understanding, the progress of your digital transformation will be stilted by reluctant and unwilling employees.
Involving the leaders of your company with the process and empowering them to take control of proceedings is likely to increase the likelihood of the transformation taking place successfully.
Selecting the right technology
Far too often, companies dive into the latest technologies based on the hype and the noise surrounding their release. Just because one of your competitors or contemporaries has access to a certain technology does not mean your business will get much out of it.
Any tech you do choose to invest in has to be vetted properly. If it doesn’t further your business goals, what is the point? Analysing the advantages and disadvantages of different technologies is so important. New technologies have to align with your overarching business goals.
Jumping on board with a novel technology without an understanding of the potential repercussions can be damaging for the long term health of your business. If the amount of time that it takes to get up to speed with a new technology pushes back your plans for the future, you might have to reconsider.
Formulating a detailed plan
Having an outline of the timeframe for the digital transformation to take place is essential. When you have a list of targets you need to meet, it’ll help keep everyone focused and on task.
Supplying staff members with an extensive look at what the weeks of digital transformation will portend will prevent any sort of resistance from derailing your progress.
You have to be able to keep pace with your original targets and outlining the process will help you to do so.
Conclusion
A digital transformation isn’t an easy task to undertake for any business. You’ll need to change attitudes, disrupt old working practices and evolve the way your business operates. Armed with an understanding of the task ahead, you can go into this challenge optimistic of the chances of success.
