Digital transformation is a significant process for any company that wants to remain relevant and profitable. However, businesses often make common mistakes when implementing digital solutions.
One of the most common mistakes is the lack of planning and research. Companies should evaluate whether the benefits of going digital outweigh the time and resources spent. Digital transformation should only be considered when it can lead to specific positive outcomes, such as reducing labour costs, increasing margins, and boosting sales. Otherwise, it can waste time and resources, especially for a young startup that should focus on scaling and achieving payback.
Another challenge in achieving digital business transformation is the reluctance of employees to accept change. Employees who do not understand the benefits of new initiatives are more likely to resist any changes to the company. To promote change, instead of resisting it, employees need to understand what kind of benefit each new solution will bring, how it works, and how their tasks and areas of responsibility will change after introducing innovations.
Another mistake is the lack of expertise. Companies must have a single digitalization body, like the CDTO position, to avoid mistakes. Even if a company creates an entire digital transformation division, it can fail if the team lacks competencies.
Digital transformation is not just about adopting various digital solutions. It is a comprehensive restructuring process that necessitates a complete strategy. A strategy should be developed where each initiative will perform its function. In creating such a strategy, it may turn out that to go digital, you need to change the business model completely and sometimes the product itself.
In summary, before turning to digital transformation, it’s essential to consult a professional IT consulting company like Fiveous that will make the transition smooth and efficient.