Why digital transformation is not just an IT issue - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Why digital transformation is not just an IT issue - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Capgemini Consulting and the MIT Center of Digital Business conducted a study in 2011 which gave us a peek into what might be around the corner in the digital age. After examining 157 executives from 50 companies with an annual revenue of over £764 million, researchers found that in order to adapt to the digital transformation that was taking shape, they needed to rethink the way their business and operating models worked, as well as the products and services they provided. Five years down the line, weve seen that some companies have adapted better than others. For firms that have been slow off the mark, thankfully there are plenty of useful examples of success around to show best practices. What we can see is that there is no set method, or ceiling, to digital adaptation for the benefit of business, it all comes down to the nature of a company, and what they can improve. Nespresso, the coffee machine manufacturer, revolutionised its sales process by providing customers and potential buyers with full mobile access to the products on its website for the first time, providing both a route to purchase and a customer service offering. Nespresso are by no means unique in this respect, and multiplying buying channels has been one of the most prevalent examples of digital transformation. For a different kind of example, take the Schindler Group, which was able to use cloud computing to operate a signal system for its lifts that immediately detect any kind of fault and transmit a notification straight to the iOS app of an engineer, who is assigned to fix the problem. Company culture has a huge bearing on the speed and effectiveness with which digital transformation permeates through a business. It is about ensuring the creativity is there to generate ideas as a starting point to improving business practices through digital strategy, and then encouraging an entire company structure to be receptive to change. This is partly due to the fact that a quick decision making process is often needed in order to facilitate change effectively. When digital transformation is done well, there are few departments of a business that wont be required to play an active role in its development. Those involved with procurement and costings are very important in order to forecast and track return on investment from new digital investments. Keep looking around Which kind of companies stand more chance of digitally transforming in the right way? Undoubtedly, those which are outward looking and have their head way above the ground when it comes to keeping abreast of the latest digital innovations both in their own sector and others. Internally, there is a need to reward innovation and individuals who are ready to work out ways to improve through digital means and put them forward. The importance of leaders Like any initiative that requires change throughout a business, leadership is vital both to the successful implementation of new ways of working, and to ensure that day to day business is not disrupted as a result. Clarity is key, and in a large share of cases, only if a clear vision for digital change is presented by a leader, along with a workable strategy filled with practicalities, is digital transformation achieved as intended. For companies that have operated in the same way for a long period of time, a fair amount of organisational flexibility will need to be enabled. This means moving from the organisational comfort zone which many firms find themselves in after years of applying the same methods. Finding a new, better way of doing things often takes the courage to step outside the norm. Customer led While much of the creative process needed to initialise digital transformation can come from within, it can pay dividends for companies to put themselves in the customers shoes, as with product or service providers the end game is near enough always to improve an aspect of their offering. This is done most effectively when incorporating market or existing customer research, along with lessons learned from front line business interactions. The result being that customers are provided with a far more tailored and personalised product or service. Keeping it going Digital transformation doesnt happen overnight there are several ways that companies can ensure they keep evolving digitally as time goes by. Recruitment processes should focus on candidates with a digital background or at least a firm understanding of how their particular discipline can benefit from being digitally minded. Similarly, firms will find that with digital projects, many of the invisible barriers we often experience between departments need to come down in order to implement changes effectively. This can actually turn out to be a very positive consequence of digital transformation, with departments developing a greater empathy for each others responsibilities, as well as an understanding of the overall business model. It is a given that an investment of some degree in training and development will probably be made by most organisations, and again, the responsibility will likely fall on the leaders to determine the direction and relay the importance of training, and in many cases carry it out themselves. Where does IT come in? In the IT department, it is likely that individuals with soft skills and backgrounds which give them commercial acumen and awareness of other parts of the business will be in increasing demand. Digital transformation is commonly developed with the customer in mind, so IT professionals that have a demonstrable aptitude for staying customer focused in their work can rise to the top Speed is key Such is the rapid pace with which digital transformation is occurring around us, that some innovations will be deemed outdated before they have even begun to be widespread. Rather than blindly follow the newest trends, businesses that stand most chance of success are those that look for sustainable solutions that will make a substantial impact on the delivery of their service or product, and in turn the bottom line. Hopefully you found this blog interesting. Here are some other articles which you also might enjoy: The future of recruitment Part 1 4 ways to grow yourself global 2016: The year of the ‘digital diviners’ 1  thing  you need to know about digital marketing Big Data â€" help or hype? 3 things you need to know about careers in 2020 Share this blog: