Digital Transformation – Small Steps

In general terms, Digital transformation can be defined as the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business resulting in cultural changes to how businesses operate and deliver value to customers.

Digital transformation can entail any number of technologies, including ERP software, HCM systems, CRM, Communication Model of Business, eCommerce, business intelligence, mobile applications, analytics, internet of things along with a host of other possibilities.

Being paperless and being digital are not the same in the true sense. Companies can potentially become digital in their core operations but still not become paperless if their employees continue to take printouts of certain documents from time to time. In some cases, documents are printed for signatures and then scanned and uploaded onto a server. In a paperless scenario, all workflows are fulfilled electronically.

HOW TO ACTUALLY START DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ?

We recommend the following 4 easy steps below to increase your chances of a successful implementation:

1) Set a clear vision of Business Goals and define with Technology

Lets have proper company vision, business model defined and set the target that how technology can be enabler to achieve longer term goals.

2) Determine your digital maturity

At K- CELL we conduct a ‘Fitness Test’ so our clients can assess where they currently stand compared to their vision. We assess this against our Methodology to identify the gaps and develop a plan for ‘next steps’ – documenting in a clear way what is required to bring the overall vision to business in next 4 to 5 years.

3) Think big, Act small.

Develop a roadmap with the core activity and dependencies outlined. We suggest focusing on small discrete deliverables at a time.

4) Define and measure success

When defining your strategy ensure you as a business agree what success looks like at the outset, and just as importantly how you will measure it. Ensure you have the right analytics tools in place to capture this information.

To effectively follow the above 4 steps we need to understand kinds of Digital Transformation in Business or Organization or the product and services we deliver.

Process Transformation

Operational Digital transformation has resulted in cost savings, reduced delivery time and error rates. Like ERP has added real value to businesses in recent years how still that is not enough its needs to be continuously evaluated and changed.  Data, analytics, APIs, machine learning and other technologies offer corporations valuable new ways to reinvent processes throughout the corporation. Example Domino’s Pizza have completely re-imagined the food ordering process; 

Business Model Transformation 

Typically, very tough for established companies to change the rules of business. However some companies are pursuing digital technologies to transform traditional business models. Whereas process transformation focuses on finite areas of the business, business model transformations are aimed at the fundamental building blocks of how value is delivered in the industry. Examples of this kind of innovation are well-known, from Netflix’ reinvention of video distribution, Insurance companies like LIC and Bajaj Alliance are using data and analytics to un-bundle insurance contracts and charge customers by-the-mile.

Domain Transformation 

An area where we see surprisingly little focus—but enormous opportunity—is the area of domain transformation. New technologies are redefining products and services, blurring industry boundaries and creating entirely new sets of non-traditional competitors. B2B Industrial business houses & even wholesalers has leveraged new Apps and Technology, added new service offering for its customers by giving guidance in maintenance of assets or goods sold to them. 

ThyssenKrupp, a diversified industrial engineering company, technology capability to help clients manage the maintenance of elevators with asset health and predictive maintenance offerings—creating a significant new source of revenue beyond the core. 

Cultural/Organizational Transformation 

Full, long-term digital transformation requires redefining organizational mindsets, processes, and talent & capabilities for the digital world. “technology company” by promoting a “culture of innovation,” according to its head of innovation, and by shifting company values to focus on customer-centricity. In this business digitizes its operations, process, HR process, Finance Management, Customer, Logistics, Supply Chains through different technology and as per the requirements of the functions.

Conclusion

Technology is every changing, now the time is not to adopt but be the change in technology. Its not enabler but value add to business & customers if implemented effectively according to our own business requirements and models.

As technology change increases, industries will continue to be forced to change. Corporations that regard and pursue digital transformation in a multi-dimensional way will find greater success than those that don’t.