Adopting a digital transformation framework for your business
If you run a business – any kind of business – it can be hard to keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape. There are so many breakthroughs on an everyday basis that it can get overwhelming. But don’t let this stop you! Choosing the right digital transformation framework for your company can help you rise above your competitors.
What is a digital transformation framework?
To be able to understand what a digital transformation framework is, we first have to understand what digital transformation is. As the name suggests, it refers to changing (or transforming) the way you use technology to run your business. With these changes, you can improve your processes to ensure that you offer the best possible value to your customers. A big part of digital transformation is experimentation. You will have to try out various configurations until you find one that works for you.
A digital transformation framework is a company-wide map that all your employees can follow while you are integrating new technology. This will help you keep your eye on the goal, and ensure that any new changes are incorporated smoothly. Your framework for digital transformation will look different from that of another company because you have your unique value proposition. That being said, you can always learn from other successful businesses!
Benefits of a digital transformation framework:
- It will help you stay afloat among the new technologies that surface every day, giving you a competitive advantage.
- Customers are always up-to-date with new technological developments. If you want to serve them well, you have to be up-to-date as well. If you don’t meet their expectations, your customers will find someone else who will!
- A good digital transformation framework can help you improve your organizational processes, making your business more efficient and cost-effective.
- Once you have a digital strategy framework in place, you can use it again! Even though there will be some trial and error, you will have a better handle on incorporating new technology into your systems.
How to build a digital transformation framework:
1. Identify a set of objectives
The objectives you decide on must be both short-term and long-term. The most basic digital transformation objectives are a better experience for your customers and increased profitability. One way to improve customer experience is to offer them digital solutions. This works especially well in industries such as banking and insurance. In addition to a better experience for your customers, having digital products and services can also help you to cut down on costs. Another way to keep costs down is to make your processes more efficient. You can use digital tools to ensure that repeated processes are automated. This frees up time for employees to improve their performance as well.
2. Form a digital transformation strategy
Once you have your goals in place, you have to design a path to reach them. The best way to do this is to break each goal down into smaller steps so that it is easier to track the completion of your objectives. This is your digital transformation strategy. In general, there are three paths that you can take.
The first path consists of using technology to improve your internal processes and make them more efficient. As mentioned earlier, this can help you not only cut costs but also improve employee efficiency. The second path is customer focused. If you already use digital tools within your business, you can turn those tools outwards to improve customer experience. This can include things like getting feedback from customers, engaging with them, and offering them personalized products and services. The third possible path is a combination of the first two. This will, undoubtedly, take up more time and manpower. However, if you have the resources to spare, go ahead and do it!
3. Decide which technologies you will need
Some tools will help you if you are following the first path of digital transformation (internally focused) and some will help you if you are following the second one (externally focused). To improve your internal processes, you can use tools like automation testing and analytics. To improve customer experience, you can use tools like chatbots.
4. Analyse the data
Any kind of change is slow. You will invariably make mistakes. Some of the things you implement may not work at first. That’s okay! Analyze the data that you get, and learn from it. Once you have decided on your digital transformation goals and plan, try to stick to it as much as you can. However, don’t be afraid to deviate from it if something isn’t working out. As long as your approach is action-oriented, you will be fine.
5. Remember that digital transformation is about people too
Even though you are working closely with technology, the “human” aspect is just as important. This applies not only to your customers but also to your employees. Change is hard for everyone. Empathize with the people involved in your transformation and do what you can to make the transition easier.
6. Make sure you have the appropriate leadership in place
Being successful at implementing a digital transformation framework isn’t dependent solely on your objectives and the technologies you choose to use. It is also dependent on how the leadership of your business guides employees through the change of digital transformation. Make sure your digital transformation leaders understand both the technological and human aspects of the framework.
7. Develop a digital culture in your organization
This is not an easy task to accomplish. It will require patience, understanding, and the ability to collaborate. As a digital leader, it is your job to train your employees and encourage them when they might fail. To make things easier for you, you can reach out to consulting companies to get help formulating your digital transformation framework. You can also make use of the companies that you get your digital tools from. They usually offer training on their product, which will help the employees who will have to work with it.
We at iTrobes offer a variety of digital transformation services. We can help you establish the path that is best for you, and help you decide on the digital tools that will be most beneficial to your business.
Contact us today to get started on your digital transformation!
