Who ever imagined that a came'ra, audio player, email server, and phone calls could all be combined and put together in one single device! A few years ago people could not even imagine the possibility of this happening. Nobody thought that we could use a device which could fit in pockets with all amenities incorporated in it! But it is reality for all of us now.
Also, have you ever wondered how the dynamics changed? Now we can buy multiple things from one single website. People do not need to visit different websites for different requirements. Brands like Amazon and Flipkart have everything ranging from clothes to groceries and health products to beauty product available all in one single platform. This is where digital advancements have reached.
Everything we want is available at our fingertips. In fact, this entire Digital Transformation has also done good for nature as a lot of sectors have now gone paperless. Banks, insurance, healthcare etc. have undertaken Digital Transformation and have reduced if not completely stopped the use of paper. So Digital Transformation in many fields has not only eased the life of many individuals but also contributed towards helping mother nature.
Another point I would like to highlight is that it is not only the business that undergoes a Digital Transformation, but, we as users are also a part of this ever evolving process. We are the end users and any kind of transformation in the digital world also affects our lives in some way or the other.
Digital Transformation needs to be undertaken with an organizational approach
Businesses that have adopted this are reaping the benefits and enjoying the advantages. However, there are still businesses that have not completely undergone a Digital Transformation. These businesses have started to realize the importance and benefits Digital Transformation brings to the table and are considering to fully adopt it in their business model.
While doing so, there are a couple of things businesses need to keep in mind to ensure that they are on the right path and what they are doing is right. A lot of businesses fail not because they don’t undergo Digital Transformation, but because, their approach towards this is still amateur. As complex as it sounds, digitally transforming businesses is not as hectic and time consuming as most perceive it to be. If the right steps are followed and the right set of strategies and guidelines are followed transforming businesses digitally is indeed the best solution to always stay ahead in the market.
In this article we learn about 5 golden rules that you must adhere to if you wish to undergo a Digital Transformation for your business.
If you closely analyze, there are no defined set of rules assigned to digitally transform your business. It is with time and a lot of trial and error that experts in this field have been able to crack the code and make their way through.
Every business has different requirements and agendas. So the plan of action for business in different sectors and fields should be different too. However, when a business considers to digitally transform themself they have to take into consideration their target audience also.
For e.g. at first when e-commerce came into the market a majority of people were hesitant to make pre-payments for the products they buy and often opted for the “Cash on Delivery” option. However with time we have now adapted to it and are comfortable paying for products online before we even receive it.
So, this shows that Digital Transformation is a process that requires the acceptance of users too. This is only possible if it is done in the right manner.
Now let’s have a look at a few key points to keep in mind to ensure you have a successful Digital Transformation journey
5 Golden Rules
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1.Have a clear vision
No plan or project can be successful if a clear vision is not laid down right at the beginning. Leaders should convey the organizational goal and vision clearly to their teams. There should be complete transparency if businesses wish to smoothly execute their plan. This ensures that everybody is on the same page and everybody working on the project know where they are heading towards. The foundation of the Digital Transformation journey can only be strengthened if the vision is clearly communicated to everybody who is working on it.
2.Focus on the customers
In this competitive world it is very important for businesses to have user-centric solutions if they want to make it big. Understanding user needs and requirements help you understand what your target audience actually want. Once you know what they want, you can cater to them accordingly. A good User Research is recommended not only at the start but also during the process. This helps get an in-depth understanding of what the target audience expects from a particular brand. A user-centric approach where the focus is more on the target audience is always considered to be a wise decision for any organization.
3.Digital Transformation is not the destination
For those who think Digital Transformation is a one time solution to make their business grow, need to know that this is an ever evolving process and not the end goal. This is a journey businesses undertake to stay ahead of their competitors. There is always something new trending in the market so it is important to stay up-to-date at all times.
4.Build a flexible strategy & Team work is important
It is important for businesses to be flexible with their plan of action. Staying stringent and adamant on one single path is not a good idea. I am sure we have all experienced this in our professional life, not all plans and strategies work as per schedule. There is always scope for delays, iterations and amendments. It is no different when it comes to digitally transforming your business.
Digitally transforming a business cannot be done by one single individual. It requires different departments and teams to come together to create great solutions. All teams working on the project should be well aligned with each other. They should be in sync with each other to maintain consistency and uniformity throughout the process. Protocols should be followed and teams should regularly communicate with each other to achieve best results.
5.Accept failure
Staying positive and accepting failure is a part of the process. There could be delays and a number of iterations but one must take this in a positive spirit and work harder to avoid repetition of mistakes. One should not get demotivated, but instead, learn from their mistakes and make sure that they don’t repeat it. Falling down is a part of the journey but picking yourself up and moving forward is what it takes to be successful in your endeavour.
In conclusion
When an organization plans on undergoing a Digital Transformation, a lot of things are at stake. To reduce the risk of losses and increase the benefits and profits, these 5 golden rules must be followed. These rules must be adhered to ensure businesses are on the right path of success with their Digital Transformation journey.