Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, business intelligence (BI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been buzzwords for quite some time now. However, they’re still considered relatively new if we go by how much small businesses have adopted these.
This is because more often than not, the latest in tech is usually expensive, and shifting from old tech to new incurs additional costs. To illustrate, consider replacing an entire fleet of PCs that run on Windows 7 with laptops that run on Windows 10. Not only will you have to spend on new machines and new software licenses, but you’ll also have to train employees on how to use the new operating system (OS). And if you have legacy custom software, you’ll need to have it updated so that it can run smoothly on the new OS.
In other words, undergoing a digital transformation is not just about buying new tech — it also entails a re-engineering of your organization. To gauge your firm’s readiness to adopt new digital technologies, you must examine its structure, processes, and people.
Structure
You need to determine whether the changes will be initiated by a centralized agency and be implemented across the organization, or will different departments have their own digital transformation initiatives. To illustrate, let’s imagine a roof installation and repair company. A project management app can help roof installers on site and administrators in the home office be on the same page. However, the roof installers will have more use for aerial drones than admins would.
You’ll also want to consider if you want to install a Chief Digital Officer. While this role makes more sense in the centralized setup, decentralized setups may also benefit from having a central authority. That person will ensure that digital tech is used optimally and that data flows smoothly from one department to another.
Processes
You need to examine whether the tech you’re adopting can be adapted to how you’ve always done things, or whether your processes and workflows will have to be adjusted. More often than not, it will be the latter.
Let’s think of courier services. Nowadays, sophisticated couriers have apps that enable their customers to track packages in real time. This wasn’t the case just a few decades ago. However, using this relatively new package tracking technology means having to implement new processes. For example, they have to enter package details in the tracking app and forward the tracking number to the intended recipient. Furthermore, their customers had to adopt new processes, too. Customers had to download the courier’s app, create an account there, and enter the tracking number in the app.
In short, you need to prepare yourself and your customers for the process changes you’ll implement when you adopt digital technologies.
People
Here is where you may find the greatest resistance, especially if your staff members are not digital natives. You’ll have to provide training for them and/or commission third parties to handle your new tech for you.
You’ll also have to determine who needs which training. For instance, users of Windows 7 will need to be taught on how to use Windows 10 as soon as they receive Windows 10 laptops. However, if, for example, you decide to use a chatbot in your website, not everyone will have to know how to preprogram its responses or learn how to collate the data it gathers onto customer profiles.
Further reading: How to launch and implement your digital transformation strategy
Each business is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for digital transformation. If you need help coming up with an organization-wide strategy, turn to HERO Managed Services LLC. Drop us a line to schedule a consultation.
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