Are you considering digital transformation for your organization? While you may believe that expensive digital transformation consulting services are the answer, there is a more cost-effective approach that can help your organization adapt quickly and gain a competitive advantage.
What Consultancy Companies And Big It Providers Don’t Tell You
Many consulting and IT companies make digital transformation seem complicated, requiring intricate planning and large sums of money. They propagate the myth that digital transformation requires an overhaul of processes and people, led by someone with a Ph.D. in the domain. This has led to enterprises spending a significant part of their IT budget on it, while smaller companies feel like it's a dream in the distant future.
In reality, digital transformation is a simple concept - it is a way to utilize technology to reach its maximum potential, making jobs more productive and efficient. Each professional knows their job better than anyone else and needs guidance to determine where and how to use technology for maximum efficiency.
What Is Digital Transformation?
Digital transformation may sound complex and encompassing, but at its core, it's simply about leveraging technology to achieve optimal outcomes. It's not about changing the job itself, but rather changing how we approach it.
For instance, booking a flight used to require going through a travel agency. Nowadays, the same task can be accomplished more efficiently through online booking facilities. The job of booking a flight remains the same, but the approach has evolved to be more productive, saving time for the traveler and costs for the airline.
As a professional, you are the expert in your field and best positioned to determine where and how technology can be used to achieve maximum efficiency. It's important to carefully consider which technology is most appropriate for your specific job.
You may be wondering how to embark on this digital transformation journey without costly consulting services. We'll explore that next
How To Get Started With Your Digital Transformation - Today
There are two approaches to digital transformation: the first is to analyze every aspect before making a move, a process that can take several years. The second, and more efficient, approach is to jump right in, adapt, and make changes as you learn more. Personally, I prefer the latter because I've seen organizations follow a thorough, yet arduous tactic to achieve digital transformation. They enlist the help of expensive expert consultants who leave them with a thousand-page document that's incomprehensible and impossible to implement.
So how can you take the "learn as you go" approach in your digital transformation? The most efficient method is to digitalize one job at a time. Once the first job is digitalized, it can be evaluated, re-evaluated, pivoted, and then completed before moving on to the next job.
But how do you decide which job to automate first? Here's a simple methodology based on job size and impact:
- Step 1: List Your Jobs
List core jobs based on size:
- How many employees are responsible for the job in question?
- How many employees will benefit from the output?
- What is the current cost of the job?
- Step 2: Prioritize
Prioritize based on impact. Here are the different prioritization levels:
- Critical: Unable to do it manually
- High: Unpredictable results
- Medium: Unable to complete at the time
- Low: Time-consuming
Use the above matrix to identify the first job that, if improved, will have the most significant impact on the organization. Then, a technology specialist conducts a thorough analysis to discuss the long-term efficiency and feasibility. If the technology is both helpful and manageable, proceed with the following steps:
- Implement
- Launch
- Use
- Pivot
- Move to the next job
This approach allows you to gradually transform your organization without overwhelming yourself or your employees with massive changes. Remember, digital transformation is not a one-time project. It's a continuous process that requires agility and adaptability.
Case Study: How Stemexe Has Helped Companies Achieve Their Goals
We at StemeXe did this exercise on behalf of small and medium companies to identify the main common jobs that should be digitalized.
The result? One hundred companies were not in a position to better understand the jobs they are having difficulty executing. These jobs were analyzed, and technology was used to make them more useful.
Nine applications were developed that aimed to digitalize the most vital jobs that are necessary for new company sustainability.
As a result, companies could immediately move towards digitalizing their organizations.
And that’s how simple digital transformation can be.
Are you ready to get started with your digital transformation?