DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: A NECESSARY DISRUPTION

By Stanislau Ebo da Silva

Nowadays, bits and bytes move the world, whether for social, professional, leisure, or even shopping, we live in a reality where almost everything is obtained as a service via the internet.

The technological revolution has brought efficient formats to learn, to undertake on a global scale at the speed of a click: like, share, post or comment.

Digital transformation is the application of digital capabilities to processes, products, and assets to improve efficiency, enhance customer value, manage risk, and uncover new revenue-generating opportunities. In other words, it is the digital technological integration in all areas of a company with the aim of increasing its value.

Digital transformation is necessary for any institution because it allows them to compete better in an economic environment that is constantly adjusting to technology. To that end, digital transformation is necessary for any business, nonprofit, or institution looking to survive into the future.

Digital transformation can involve reworking products, processes, and strategies within the organization by leveraging digital technology.

Technology drives the need for digital transformation and supports the digitization of an organization. In addition, there is no single application or technology that enables digital transformation, but there are multiple key processes that an organization generally must have to face the transformation:

• Cloud Computing: gives an organization faster access to the software it needs, new features and updates, as well as data storage, and allows it to be nimble enough to transform;
• Information technology: enables an organization to focus its talent investment and research and development dollars on customized solutions that support its requirements and the processes that differentiate it in the marketplace;
• Mobile platforms: allow work to be done wherever and whenever;
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence: provide organizations with insights to make more accurate decisions in sales, marketing, product development, and other strategic areas;

Therefore, it is not simply about buying more powerful computers, storing data in the cloud or installing ERP. Digital transformation implies a change in the mentality of managers and employees of organizations. It is a commitment to the future towards new working methods that take advantages of the full potential of digitization.

Incorporating digitization into all company processes generates undeniable competitive advantages in the short and long term. These are the most important:

• Promotes the culture of innovation in the company
• Improves the efficiency of processes in organizations
• Contributes to promoting collaborative work and internal communication
• Provides rapid responsiveness in a changing environment
• Offer new business opportunities thanks to data analysis
• Improve customer experience and their relationship with the brand

Digital transformation can no longer be considered and option. Currently, companies need to renew themselves by adapting to digitization if they want to remain competitive.

Some entrepreneurs may feel overwhelmed by thinking of digital transformation as a radical change that they do not feel capable of assuming in the short term. In reality, digitization should be conceived as a gradual process according to the capabilities and needs of each company. Let us keep in mind that its implementation involves all members of the organization.

How Can We Make Changes In Our Companies?

In order to ensure that digital transformation does become a reality in our companies we should think in the basic steps:

• Leave the comfort zone

Evolving as a company in today´s world implies a mindset open to renewal. Digital transformation does not have to be a chaotic or traumatic process. The fear of change means that many companies are losing ground compared to those that have opted for digital transformation.

• Promote digital skills in employees and managers

The new digital era requires innovative, creative people who are willing to learn digitally. This process involves both employees and managers, who must acquire digital skills and other skills such as self-learning ability, collaborative work between departments, fluid and effective communication with clients, suppliers and colleagues, and customer orientation.

• Design digital strategies

The current and future business model must focus on the customer experience and the digital environment. Implementing new technologies is the first step. With software solutions makes it possible to define a digital strategy that involves all departments.

In a highly technological world, new opportunities arise from the possibilities that digitization offers us. Digital transformation is a massive undertaking, especially for larger, established companies. When done right, it will produce a business that is more aligned with customer demands and resilient in the fast-moving digital future.