People are at the heart of the digital transformation

It should come as no surprise that corporate executives continue to rank digital transformation as their top priority in 20241. The corporate landscape is changing quickly due to new technologies, workforces are demanding more remote and hybrid working options, and sophisticated cyberattacks are becoming a growing threat to older systems. Additionally, businesses are also figuring out how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) most effectively. Not to mention meeting the demands of today’s consumers, who want flawless experiences from a variety of digital platforms.

Although the motivations behind the digital transformation are evident, the path to success is frequently less clear. It is a massive task that may be quite expensive and calls for much more than just upgrading outdated systems or moving operations to the cloud. And yet, nearly 70% of transformation efforts still fail because of the persistent belief that change should be done solely from a technological perspective2.

Accepting the human aspect in the process may help most businesses navigate the digital transformation path far more smoothly. If businesses want to prosper, they must acknowledge, the different requirements, motivations, and behaviours of their employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

It is crucial to go beyond technology in this case if you’re looking for a partner who can assist you in navigating the process. Given the length of time it takes to achieve digital transformation, other factors including chemistry, shared values, and good communication become critical.

People empower change

The starting point for digital transformation should always be people. Whether that is customers, partners, or employees – or a combination of all three – any updates made to IT infrastructure should be led by the benefits it will provide to users. Clear goals link to business outcomes and the needs of the users should be put in place first, with technology acting as the means to achieve those goals.

This, of course, necessitates research before embarking on the digital transformation journey. By engaging in direct conversations with users and leveraging data analytics, businesses can gain a better understanding of the pain points and inefficiencies in their current technology and where their efforts should be focussed.

These insights can then guide businesses through the process, helping set clearer company goals and inform more strategic decisions while benefitting users. Taking a human-led approach can also prevent businesses from falling victim to the common mistakes and pitfalls that other organisations may succumb to; providing more assurance that the time and money spent on the project will not be wasted.

What to look for in a transformation partner

While some larger organisations may have the resources needed to manage digital transformation in-house, in many cases it makes sense to seek support from a digital transformation partner. By finding people who can take the time to get to know your business, they can help define the strategy, identify the best technology, and put together a roadmap that leads to the desired outcomes. To ensure success, however, it is critically important to find the right partner who is prepared to understand how digital transformation will help both your business and your users.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here either. Some will be better suited to certain businesses or industries, there will be budget considerations, and both parties will need to be aligned on the deliverables. It is important to remember that a digital transformation partner is more than just a technology vendor though and once again, a key consideration needs to be people and what they can achieve through technology.

There are many companies that offer digital transformation support, including some of the world’s largest consultancy firms. But to ensure the transformation process is set up for success, a methodical approach should be taken when choosing a partner.

These four key considerations can help to determine the best transformation partner for your organisation:

1. Focus on the outcome: Before starting the journey, you need to clearly define what you want to achieve through digital transformation. Determine the problems you are trying to solve and how technology can help, then work backwards to outline the smaller goals that can get you there. Knowing what you want to achieve, and how you will work towards it, will be crucial when finding the right partner to get you there.

2. Focus on the people: Transformation is an ongoing process and the importance of finding people you are happy to work with cannot be understated. The technology is, of course, important, but this is an undertaking that will likely go on for years. Therefore, it is essential you find a partner that is committed to your transformation, communicates effectively and, ultimately, you have good chemistry with.

3. Look at change management skills: A successful transformation will mean major changes for your organisation, which in turn requires change management. When assessing potential partners, it is important to look at their approach towards change management and determine if it matches your own.

4. Experience, expertise and budget: These are fairly common considerations for any partnership and are no less important here. Review potential partners’ previous experience to see if it aligns with what you need, look at where their expertise lies and the technologies they offer and ensure they are within your budget.

Digital solutions that provide real-world resolutions

Digital transformation is a necessary yet complex endeavour requiring a holistic approach that goes beyond mere technology upgrades. It is, of course, a technical process, but success will be far easier to achieve if goals are set with users in mind.

The same people-first mentality should be applied by those looking for a digital transformation partner. Organisations need to find a partner that not only possess the required technological expertise, but also has the personnel that understands their business and is aligned on goals, values and culture.

While the process of transformation will certainly be difficult and fraught with many obstacles, putting people first can help pave the path to success and enable organisations to stay relevant and competitive in the rapidly changing digital market.