Many companies have already innovated at all levels of operation and not just those directly related to IT. See some of the most common examples of digital transformation:
- In production: using customer data, it is possible to produce only according to demand, avoiding keeping products in stock for a long time;
- In communication: the relationship with the public becomes easier through digital platforms and social networks, which allow to respond quickly to consumer questions;
- On sales: with the growth in this sector, investing on online commerce can be an excellent way to increase sales;
- On financial: digitalization makes the company more sustainable and allows that resources be reallocated on more strategic processes,
- In the work environment: depending on your type of business, you can offer employees the possibility of home office in a period of time. After all, with digital resources, it is possible to perform some activities from anywhere.
How to start the digital transformation in your company?
The technological and digital transformation is not for the future, but for now: innovating is a matter of survival in an increasingly competitive market. Many managers who are not constantly looking for technological innovations are seeing their businesses fall behind or even close the doors.
Know the problems of your business
The first step is to understand more about the reality of the company by talking with employees and customers. In this way, it is possible to know the main bureaucracies and bottlenecks faced, from the first contact to the final result.
In addition, it is also possible to discover what could be optimized with the help of technology. The results will continue to be charged at all times, and therefore it is essential that the innovations meet real needs.
Find out what changes have already taken place
Also find out what investments have already been made. This way, it will be easier to identify at which stage of the digital transformation your company is. If the changes are still too small, remember: this is a great opportunity to start automating processes and bring positive results.
Some organizations start with small changes, but they generate positive results in the short term and make the difference in the routine, until reaching enough maturity to automate more critical processes:
- Installing videoconferencing tools to hold remote meetings;
- Digitizing documents and reducing paper costs;
- Using the help desk to open calls related to technical support,
- Reducing communication problems with the use of chats internally.
Find partners in the market
Another important tip is to make partnerships and talk with other companies in the market that are going through the same moment. They can be great allies either to exchange knowledge or to work together.
The possibility of using a social network to log in to a particular platform is an example of this. To have good results, it is important that your company follows what the competition is doing.
Invest in communication
Communication throughout the company must be clear and aligned to welcome this moment of change and formalize the adoption of new technologies. The culture of innovation within organizations is built more easily if their employees feel comfortable to expose their ideas.
From these surveys, you will have basic information to start a survey on what solutions are available in the market, make budgets and plan the next steps of the strategy. The important thing is that the manager starts creating differentials that generate value for the customer and prepare the business to be ahead of the competition.
What are the stages of digital transformation?
There are some stages of the digital transformation that your company will go through. Some are already born in more advanced stages and others will go through the whole process. The important thing is to know which are the investments already made by the company to understand in which stage it is.
Stage 1: adopting technology
At this stage, the company has the first contact with new technologies and knows some of the benefits. Digital document management can be a good way to start the process of technological modernization.
Stage 2: technology as part of business
Organizations that are at this stage already know that the use of technological solutions generates value for their business and brings positive impacts. Generally, the culture of innovation within the company begins to make a difference in the work routine.
Stage 3: technology as part of strategy
In stage 3 the technology is not only present in some processes, but is also part of the strategy. It is likely that, when it reaches this stage, the company has already strongly considered the implementation of integrated management systems and other solutions.
Stage 4: convergent infrastructure
At this stage are the most mature companies, which have adapted their business model to be more and more aligned to innovation and client demand. An example of this are the industries that adopt the lean manufacturing system and present a much more efficient production line.
Stage 5: innovation
Stage 5 is not the end of the digital transformation: it is just a reference from where the most advanced companies are, in which the culture of innovation is already completely part of the business. In this stage, investments in research and development are great.
The organizations that reach this level lead discussions about new technologies and are not afraid to take risks. They are always adopting new resources, anticipating trends and presenting increasingly surprising products and services.