This digital transformationmight sound far off, complicated, or too expensive, but in reality, the concept is quite easy to grasp. Digital transformation means integrating technology into all areas of a business. It’s more than just the cloud. This is about rethinking old models and processes in lieu of technology.
For small to mid-sized businesses, digital transformation is imperative to staying relevant and competitive. Technology plays a key role in a business’s ability to evolve with the market, to scale efficiently, and to add value to the customer.
From vision to execution can be a difficult road. According to Vistage, the success rate for companies that undergo a digital transformation is about 4-11%. In order to make sure you’re not wasting time or money on starting a digital transformation you can’t complete, we have five important tips:
- Automate First
There are manual, repetitive tasks that you and your team are spending valuable time on every single day. Automating these tasks frees up time and shows your team just how much value can be brought to the table through digital transformation. These are also easy to start with because there isn’t a ton of strategy or process change that needs to happen. Take a repetitive, yet essential task, and automate it, then watch the ROI roll in.
2. Transform Processes
Where there are workflows in place, be sure you take a look at these through fresh eyes. Automation needs to be more than digitizing an existing process. Consider where the information is going, who the audience is, and even if you need this process at all anymore. Through this, you can also create processes that require your team to adapt. Adoption of new tools can be a hurdle for nearly any company, but when it comes to digital transformation, it’s essential. You need your team to buy into your new tools and processes. Letting them fall back into the workflows they are used to could mean lost ROI and a decrease in efficiency.
3. Information Access
Ensure your team has easy and open access to your information. This is one of those small things that can increase efficiency. Instead of your HR department requesting reports, they’re able to pull these reports on their own. Not only is there less runaround, but the team will feel more ownership and feel trusted.
4. Leadership Buy-In
Your leadership needs to be brought in early. Their ideas need to be heard. Their opinions matter. You absolutely need their buy-in for the adoption to trickle down throughout your organization. If your leadership team is aligned, you’ll present a united front and the workflows and processes that have been transformed won’t just fly out the window.
5. Give you Team Time to Adjust
Before the hard roll-out of your digital transformation, you should give your team access to the tools, so they can play around with them. It can be a lot of pressure to have to turn on a dime and perform your daily tasks in a new way all of a sudden. Giving them time to play in the sandbox, so to speak, eases your team into this change, allows you time to find any hang-ups, and ensures a better adoption rate.
This can be a lot to take on, but once you’re over the hump, your business will be stronger and more efficient for it. If you need help throughout the process, be sure you partner with a vendor you trust, with open communication, and good alignment. GadellNet is happy to answer questions you have about planning and implementing a digital transformation that will align with your goals.
