The world is transforming every day. Ideally, your organization is evolving too. At GroupLink, we’re excited about the potential digital transformation brings to organizations of all kinds and we strive to be your partners in that evolution. 

We hope our series on digital transformation with CIOs and CTOs has helped your team further understand what digital transformation is, how to get started, how to bring your organization on board, what to avoid, what inspiration you can draw from those who have come before you, and how to put your game plan into action. 

We know that digital transformation can be daunting, even for CIOs and CTOs whose technical acumen is top-notch. As we reach the end of this series, we’re offering a quick summary of the key highlights that will help you through your digital transformation journey.

What is Digital Transformation?

In its simplest form, digital transformation means using digital technology to improve your organization’s processes, customer experiences, and corporate culture. The overall goal is to improve what you offer. Digital transformation is a way to make your work more efficient and effective, to keep a competitive edge, and make the most of your resources. It’s about using modern technology to update your organization for the better.

What is NOT Digital Transformation?

While we love that digital technology can help remove the burden of outdated, manual processes, digital transformation is not just a matter of replacing everything analog with a digital equivalent. Going paperless is not the ultimate goal of digital transformation.

Nor is digital transformation a drive to implement the most advanced, high-tech platforms and processes around. Your company doesn’t necessarily need to adopt things like blockchain or artificial intelligence, nor adopt them in a major way. Digital transformation should be driven by what your organization needs, not by the biggest names in tech. If advanced tech is what you need, go for it. Otherwise, focus on the solutions that work for you.

It’s also important to note that digital transformation is not for CIOs, CTOs, and other members of the IT department. Digital transformation isn’t an IT initiative, but a company-wide shift. 

Where can I Find Examples of Digital Transformation?

Throughout this series, we’ve shared examples of successful digital transformation from organizations large and small. Please refer to those examples to see what others have done, how they’ve overcome challenges, and how even the most modest steps have had large impacts. For even more examples, check out the World Economic Forum’s selection of case studies focused on digital transformation.

How Can I Strengthen Corporate Culture to Adopt Digital Transformation?

Without a culture-shift alongside the processes you adopt, digital transformation won’t thrive in your organization. It’s crucial to achieve buy-in at all levels of your operations. Everyone should understand how digital transformation will impact people’s roles and how the organization will change, too.

Showcase how digital transformation will change your business for the better. Get input from team members in all departments to find out how you can use digital transformation to make their jobs better. Select influential, positive team members to be ambassadors of digital transformation. And check in with staff regularly throughout your journey to answer questions and solve problems before they become more challenging. 

What Potential Obstacles Exist?

• Legacy systems are often troublesome for organizations undergoing digital transformation. Instead of scrapping every piece of your old system, you may be able to extend and integrate it with your new digital processes.
• Collaboration, and lack thereof, can be a big problem when it comes to implementing change. The previously mentioned focus on company culture can help a lot with that. Encourage working together and listening to one another’s goals and priorities to effect change.
• Doing too much at once is a common stumbling block. You don’t need to put every piece of digital transformation into place at the same time. Organizations of all types and sizes have introduced incremental change with great results.
• Budgeting has also caused businesses to run into problems with digital transformation. Often, firms neglect to set aside funds for hiring or training staff that will need new skills. You’ll also require a budget for overcoming security concerns.
  

Don’t let these or any other potential obstacles hold you back. It’s worth the effort to overcome obstacles in order to introduce digital transformation to your organization.

What Should Our Digital Transformation Game Plan Include?To map your way through digital transformation, you’ll require effective goal-setting, metrics, and a timeline. We can help with every aspect of your business’s transformation. For more information or to make progress on your journey, contact us at info@grouplink.net, 801-742-8386, or using our online form.