If your New York-based business still relies on fax machines and landlines to communicate with customers, then you’re behind the times. In today’s economy, digital transformation is no longer an option but a necessity for your company to stay competitive.
However, digital transformation can be a daunting prospect for any business. It can mean changing the way you operate, which can be disruptive to your employees and customers. But if done correctly, digital transformation will help your organization stay relevant and profitable.
Here are some tips to make the process of digitalization as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
Have clear, realistic objectives
Creating a digital strategy with no clear objectives can lead to wasted money, time, and other resources. By contrast, establishing concrete and achievable goals lets you measure the success of your efforts.
For instance, you shouldn’t aimlessly aspire to “use tech to increase productivity.” Instead, you want to “use automated solutions to shorten [process] by 20%.” Having concrete targets allows you to create an action plan where you can prioritize tasks and allocate resources more efficiently.
Don’t do everything at once
Rather than trying to completely overhaul your IT in one fell swoop, implement digital transformation in phases. A phased transformation enables you to focus on a few key areas and ensure there’s sufficient time and funding for each stage of the transformation.
In addition, phased transformations allow for better testing and feedback from stakeholders. Each phase of the transformation can be tested before being fully implemented so that issues are identified and resolved before deployment. This is especially important when introducing new technologies or processes that require training or education to avoid any problems down the road.
Phased transformations also enable businesses to learn from their mistakes along the way. As each stage of the digital transformation is completed, business leaders can review their successes and failures to make more informed decisions in subsequent stages. This lets them adjust their plans accordingly and minimize potential risks.
Related reading: Digital transformation: Why every business needs it in 2023
Involve your employees
Asking your employees for input on the transformation process gives them the opportunity to contribute valuable insights, such as how the proposed changes may affect the way they work. And because employees are highly familiar with your existing business processes and systems as well as customer needs and expectations, they have very useful knowledge regarding which technology should be implemented and how. By considering their insights, you can avoid potential issues, such as inadequate system scalability, low employee buy-in, and customer dissatisfaction.
Getting your employees’ perspectives also helps create a culture of collaboration. When everyone has a voice in the decisions being made, it promotes transparency and encourages open dialogue between departments. This fosters trust among colleagues and creates an environment where different skill sets can be used together more effectively to solve problems and make improvements across multiple areas in your organization.
Factor in customer experience
By considering customer experience in the transformation process, you can identify any potential client-related issues before green-lighting any initiative. For example, if you’re looking to update your online checkout system, consider what types of customer information are collected and whether the collection process is easy to understand.
You’ll also have to think about how your customers will react to new technologies. For instance, introducing novel payment methods may require additional verification procedures for customers or some interaction with artificial intelligence bots. This can faze your customers, so you have to prepare them for such changes. If possible, set up communication channels for addressing their concerns ahead of implementing any major tech rollout. By doing so, you can make the learning curve less steep, improve customer satisfaction levels, and increase their loyalty to your brand.
Partner with an expert
Having a digital transformation specialist by your side, such as a managed IT services provider (MSP), makes it easier for you to navigate the various challenges associated with the introduction and implementation of new technologies.
MSPs can provide critical insights to help you make informed decisions regarding your IT strategy and roadmap. They are also up to date with the latest tech trends, so they can advise on which solutions would best address your needs while keeping within budget. MSPs can also identify potential roadblocks or areas of risk that may arise, allowing you to better prepare for or even avoid future issues.
Online Computers is an MSP with expertise in digital transformation. By partnering with us, you can have the best chance for success when implementing major IT changes across your organization. Schedule a meeting with an Online Computers specialist today.