How to nail the right mindset when it comes to digital transformation projects

Ready or not, the mass WFH experiment has pushed companies to adopt new working practices and technologies to survive in the digital economy – but this doesn’t mean that the process has been simple

Embracing the future of business is never easy, and contrary to popular belief, ‘transformation’ is not as straightforward as simply implementing new tech. Adopting the latest technology alone won’t guarantee a successful digital transformation, or help to sustain a genuine competitive advantage.

Digital tools can quickly become outdated, so transformation must begin within the company’s internal culture to help drive continuous change as the market evolves. Innovation calls for an environment where ideas can breathe, and failure is viewed as an important step towards success: a curious mindset, adaptability, and flexible management practices will be far more rewarding in the long-term than funnelling resources into the latest equipment.

With this in mind, here are some tips for businesses keen to evolve, and embark on the path to digital transformation…

One of the most important things to bear in mind is that people should be at the centre of any wide-scale digital transformation strategy. Naturally, this means keeping employees in the loop from the very outset, and explaining why steps are being taken to change the regular state of affairs. Communication is key, and employees must understand the ‘why’ behind these changes to ensure that new efforts to innovate run smoothly. Ultimately, staff members should have a solid understanding of the benefits to be gained by harnessing new tech.

Cultivating an atmosphere of openness and transparency will also serve to get buy-in from employees, who might otherwise be reluctant to get on board with new digital initiatives that alter the status quo. As a starter for ten, business leaders should remain accountable and make themselves open to talking to employees and addressing any concerns. Not only will this allow them to take on board new ideas, but it will also send a strong signal that all voices will be heard.

For larger organisations still struggling to convince their staff of the merits of new tech and shift away from old ways of working, these businesses could consider appointing ambassadors for digital change across different departments. By giving the floor to employees with a passion for innovation, this should go some way towards ensuring that positive attitudes towards transformation trickle down into the wider organisational culture in the long-term, and that good ideas don’t simply come from the top.

Another important facet of the digital transformation journey, and one that might have gone amiss until the COVID-19 crisis made any issues glaringly obvious, is the digital skills gap.

One might think that nowadays, all individuals are digital natives. But after years of maintaining legacy practices and old ways of working, some employees might need a helping hand. Indeed, many businesses got a taste of the dangers of putting this reality to one side when their workforces were prompted to shift to remote working practices in March 2020. As these organisations piloted new software and cloud computing, a stark digital skills gap began to rear its head.