Digital transformation is about developing a strategy that changes organisations’ products or processes through new technology. This can be through such forms as utilising cloud hosting or online social media platforms. Digital transformation also relates to data and analytics. Holding data is important but without the technology to gain full visibility of the scope of your business organisation at the touch of a button, implies the need to shift entire ways of working. However, the scope of digital transformation is much more than simply converting analogue information into a digital form.
Those individuals that are leaders in technology, hold a crucial role in how businesses and organisations will change
“Digital transformation is driven by humans within an enterprise who understand the organization as is and who can envision what it can eventually be.” Forbes: Digital Transformation: Start with Strong Leadership
Successful digital transformation leadership is achieved by having visibility and understanding of a range of detail. Effective digital consultants also need to have deep knowledge and connection to the customer and their business model alongside the process and supporting technology.
The importance of digital transformation for business
The big hitters in digital consultancy such as Capgemini, Deloitte, PwC, and McKinsey understand what digital transformation does for a business. They provide a link for their clients to the best technology and consultancy to move their businesses forward. Deloitte suggests that organisations attempting to execute digital transformation within narrow organisational confines result in a reactionary strategy as opposed to “an enterprise approach to digital strategy “. It is therefore evident that there are lots of facets to change within organisations and digital consultants must be leading this process effectively.
What technology does for business
Each business may have different reasons for wanting to capitalise and harness the power of technology:
- Accelerate sales and marketing
- Utilise data and analytics
- Improve core technology
- Take on processes and operations
Brand perception is no longer confined to logos and websites, with so many touch points and channels, how a brand is perceived requires a seamless brand experience. This requires digital and business expertise to implement across an entire organisation through innovative and capable digital consultants and leaders. The leadership team must be able to align digital strategy with corporate strategy and be comprised of individuals that have the experience and top-down view of not just that specific organisation but a perspective on the market.
Where does digital transformation rank in terms of your priorities for 2022/2023? Whom will you use to effect this change?
It is accepted globally that board and leadership teams with a balanced gender & ethnic diverse composition outperform those that don’t. When looking to the digital and tech sectors to transform the way we work, the digital consultants at the forefront of change need to be reflective of diversity. This means shifting our culture and recruitment strategy within the digital and tech industries to actively pursue a goal of diverse leaders and consultants. Digital transformation is driven by innovation and exceptional strategists and therefore the consultants and board-level leaders must be diverse in composition to maximise potential.
