Ever-changing and growing expectations of clients, as well as the availability and dynamic growth of modern technologies all make entrepreneurs verify their business models, the quality of services and products they offer, and the distribution and brand-to-client communication channels they incorporate. The pace of change may make one dizzy, and the digital transformation (irrespective of sector or the scope of operation) has become a “must have” for each and every business. It is also a critical condition for establishing a competitive advantage based on innovative products, services, processes, or business models. Inherent to these changes are modern technologies and IT solutions, as well as their use in enhancing business processes, perfecting customer service methods, increasing flexibility of operation, better use of business opportunities, and cost optimization.According to Deloitte analysts, complete abandonment or inept implementation of digital enhancements constituted the primary reason why since year 2000 over half of organizations which had previously occupied a position in this prestigious ranking disappeared from the Forbes 500 list. This makes for some interesting food for thought, and should effectively convince organizations to undertake decisive steps towards enhancing business processes, implementing technological changes, and last but not least, changing the organizations’ management culture.
CONTINUOUS READINESS FOR CHANGES
Regardless of the sector you operate in and the offer you provide, your competitive advantage is primarily founded on modern solutions and technologies. Technological innovations, new applications, or organizational solutions are all a step towards a digital transformation of your business, which will secure and strengthen your position on the market. You will optimize the existing business processes or develop completely new ones, you will make full use of your employees’ potential, you will make your offer more attractive and increase the sales volume.
Digital transformation assumes a continuous readiness for changes. The advantage acquired today may not be one tomorrow. What is new and innovative today, may become a standard next year. Hence, it is essential to flexibly react to market changes and trends, and to constantly strive to improve your business and build its value by incorporating IT technologies effectively and in a cost-optimized manner
NO STRATEGY – NO CAN DO
Digital transformation is a process requiring time and a complex, methodical approach to planning and implementing changes. The transformation itself may take a different course depending on the sector, the character of a business, the size of the organization and its current needs, the level of digital awareness and readiness, as well as the vision and business goals. In every case, however, it is crucial to create a clear-cut digitization strategy. Defining the areas we want to transform, and assigning priorities to them will enable us to plan our actions while maintaining business continuity, in a manner which will not shake the balance of our current business activity.
Digital transformation constitutes a challenge for people managing the organization, as well as for IT departments which are responsible for keeping the balance of the existing processes during the implementation of new technologies and solutions. The first step towards that goal is the business process analysis which enables an in-depth understanding of the course of these processes, identifying bottlenecks and areas requiring improvement, and planning appropriate enhancements. This is a moment in which we define priorities and competences necessary for a proper and efficient implementation of changes. This is due to the fact that what we want to do is equally as important as who is going to do it.
ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A PARTNER
When putting together a team responsible for the digital transformation, it is the competences of the people the team consists of that are key. Shortage of specialists and expertise in swift development of innovative solutions inhibits the growth and development of business. The best-case scenario is to possess all necessary competences, but if we come to a conclusion that they are not enough, we may decide to run trainings to develop the skills of the existing team, or to complement the lacking competences by using external consultants’ services, i.e. to outsource IT specialists or entire teams in the form of team leasing.
Taking into account the pace of economic changes and the dynamic development of modern technologies, it is fair to say that the early bird gets the worm. In digital transformation it is the time and a swift reaction to the needs and expectations of the market that matter, with IT technologies and systems forming an integral part. In this regard, many companies rely on the experience and competences of external IT specialists. High quality services and access to expertise contribute to a swift identification of areas requiring a change and implementation of innovations. Their additional advantage is the flexibility of the cooperation model and the costs related to it. A good IT Partner will create a road map of your business’s digital transformation – they will define, design, and deliver appropriate innovative technological and organizational solutions.
Digital technologies provide a vast spectrum of opportunities for a business aware of their importance providing, however, the business knows how to effectively put them to good use. The market advantage is gained by those who react to changes quickly, and who respond to clients’ needs and expectations, or even shape them. It is linked not only with the product change or launching digital sales channels. The changes should encompass the entire model of functioning, the approach to management, structures and processes, and should be effectively supported by the use of IT potential.
Digital transformation is a process – complex and integrated. It’s a highway in which the quality and pace of changes are key, while digital technologies are a way to swiftly merge into the traffic.
