Digital Transformation often is confused with digitization; it is part of the process but transformation is much more.
The flow from analog to digital
Until sometime in the past, agencies had all their information on paper. However with technology and modern tools things have changed greatly.
The copier gave way to the scanner. The files dispatched by way of fax have become shared documents by email or other mediums and started the digitization age analog is starting to be almost phased out even in traditional communication like phone communications with the rise of VOIP services.
Using digital facts to simplify the manner you figure
As a result of digitization, many processes were simplified. Instead of one person taking a physical file to multiple people in a company, an Internet connection makes it feasible to try disperse information quickly across a company saving time, money, and resources.
Although its become simplified, reporting remains essential; digitization helps company scale and has made it faster and less complicated to operate.
Digital Transformation adds value to customer interactions
Digitization was step one for digital transformation at one time but to successfully implementing strategy and really transform the way company’s operate takes a culture shift and change management. It is shown that changes that are pushed from the top (CEO endorsed) have a higher level of success. It is important before automating as part of initiatives to optimize processes- this is essential when implementing omni-channel automation strategies that will really assist in providing a strong customer experience. Transformations often do not always need to be disruptive to the business with proper change management at times it can feel like a business is shifting to customer needs. (Fahim Moledina- Innovation is not always disruptive). In many cases organizations are striving for market share and to gain customers loyalty and in doing so sometimes need to shift drastically there operating model to stay relevant in an ever changing marketplace.
Why is a Digital transformation so vital?
Generally, Digital transformation is vital because it enables businesses to optimize their processes, make better use of their sources, and drive towards there future state, acquiring the competitive benefits so they to stand out in the marketplace.
Companies that often need to transform need to do so to continue to exist inside there current market. That is why it is vital to start this evolution at times with continuous improvement initiatives that align to there future state often doing this eliminates much of the disruption as many people like to call it.
Digital transformation and the pandemic due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has been primarily accountable for the increase digital acceleration in recent years. In a McKinsey study that took a look at almost 900 respondents, among senior executives and managers, respondents said that the digitization in their interactions with customers, supply chain, and internal operations has elevated the last 3 and 4 years. Likewise, the proportion of digital or digitally enabled products has improved over about 7 years.
In this manner, groups who have embrace technology have been capable of retaining and surviving with their marketplace without tremendous losses, and some have even been able to grow during this time.
It ought to be stated that this acceleration is not isolate to specific nations,; the acceleration has been global. For example, companied that have continually been transforming in this generation be it in European nations or America,or wherever there hase been an exponential increase in digital transformation with the pandemic to stay relevant to consumers.
What is your subsequent step towards digital transformation?
Continuously looking to improve and implement solutions that help you business is the key to staying relevant in the modern age. Digital transformation knocks on the door of all organizations, and it can either know the door down or in many cases organizations open that door and embrace change and those are some of the organizations we see leading or expanding there customer base in the current economy today. As much as transformation is a buzz word so is disruption does transformation and change always need to be disruptive? In many cases it does not need to be if individuals and organizations plan.
As we have seen in past transformations in modern day, the control and automation of repetitive mundane tasks are essential in many cases to stay relevant. Therefore strategy and planning needs to be at the forefront to limit disruption. Also when the culture of a company embraces change and they are willing to adapt they often can stay relevant- the failure to adapt can be catastrophic as seen with companies like Blockbuster Video.
Fahim Moledina has a passion for technology, finance, and change and process management. He has helped organizations by optimizing service design and leveraging technology and is the Principal Consultant for Opti-Syn Consulting and is a business leader with expertise in IT, project/change management, finance, lean/agile methods, as well as marketing and sales. He has led multiple business transformation projects and is located in Edmonton, Alberta.