7 Considerations for Accelerating Enterprise Digital Transformation
1
Remember that enterprise digital transformation is about people as much as technology.
Mindset and culture are critical. If you want to accelerate transformation, then create communication and leadership that helps people to focus on ‘good enough’ and not ‘perfect’. Every organisation is talking about transformation, but too many people aren’t clear on what’s being transformed and what is the direction of change.
2
Not all projects need to be accelerated at the same rate.
Consider using multiple ‘lanes’ that allow projects to run at different speeds depending on the priority. When choosing what to prioritise in digital transformation, remember that the best changes are customer driven.
3
Take time to survey your current landscape before you hit the accelerator pedal.
It’s important to inspect your organisation and think about what is under the surface before making big changes. Talk to your CIO and other business leaders to ensure everyone understands and agrees on the strategy. Build a framework to help you deliver change with the necessary oversight and governance.
4
Invest in leadership.
If you want to accelerate enterprise digital transformation then we must not underestimate the importance of leadership. Effective leadership can help organisations to create a culture of fast innovation, by encouraging people to feel comfortable with failure – people who are afraid to fail are generally afraid to innovate.
5
Stand on the shoulders of others.
Again and again, our contributors extolled the virtues of using hard-won industry expertise. Working with the right partner gives IT leaders the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences and use standard ways of working to accelerate transformation.
6
Work hard to make virtual meetings successful.
Virtual meetings will remain the most common form of communication with staff and clients. Consider video-on policies, just because staff are at home doesn't mean they shouldn't show up as if they are in the office. Take careful steps to ensure technology and communication infrastructure is fit for purpose, frozen screens and lost connections can destroy what would otherwise have been a productive session. Explore new technologies to enhance meeting experiences. Consider roundtable formats so everyone contributes and listens.
7
Your employees are your new customers.
Digital transformation will only be successful if your employees make it happen. It is now time to treat employees with the same level of attention as customers. This means concentrating more on the employee experience and working hard on fresh strategies to motivate and retain them.