Terms such as digitization, digital change and digital transformation are on everyone’s lips. Companies increasingly see themselves with one increasing demand for digital tools and processes confronted and must act. But there are a few things to consider so that the digital change in the company is really successful.
1. Recognize the needs and potential of digital transformation
The first step in making a digital change is recognizing the need and the potential for digitization (opens in new tab). Because the digitization trend does not always make sense. Companies must carefully and individually consider where and how to make the change. The following questions are central:
- How can digitization improve my products and services?
- Where does a lack of digitization lead to efficiency losses?
- Which processes can be automated?
- What digital tools are the competition using?
Digital transformation usually happens many different levels and in different areas. Starting with a location-independent infrastructure for employees through digital e-commerce fulfillment (opens in new tab) to artificial intelligence in production – digitization has numerous facets.
Well-executed and sensibly used digitalization can do this many advantages bring, for example:
- higher efficiency
- simplified processes
- more flexibility
- better customer orientation
- more individual products and services
- competitive advantages
- new business models
2. Develop a digitization strategy
But beware: Developing the strategy is about rough timetable to be created that offers the necessary framework conditions. The digitization process should by no means be strictly planned from start to finish. Rather, the concept must always be flexible enough to be able to react appropriately to changes and challenges.
Without a well thought-out strategy, even the best digitization project is doomed to failure. An overarching concept is needed that frames the entire digital transformation. Determining the need and the potential is the first step. Following this, companies must set clear goalswhich are also measurable in the end.
Necessary questions about financial and time resources must be clarified and the implementation of the strategy must be planned. At the same time, companies should not forget that digital change takes a lot of time and does not happen overnight.
3. Invest in good change management
Change management refers to all those measures, activities and tasks that structured and successful process of a change to ensure.
Essential cornerstones of successful change management include:
- transparent and company-wide communication
- Further education and training
- Regular team meetings and feedback talks
- fault-tolerant corporate culture
- continuous success control
The main goal of change management is to involve the workforce, management level and important stakeholders to convince them of the need for digitization and get them all on board. Because upcoming changes often trigger fear at the beginning (opens in new tab) and encounter resistance. In order for the digital transformation to work, however, everyone must pull together and drive digital change forward. It is important to show that digital change an opportunity and not just a means to an end is.
4. Promote agility and innovation sustainably
The increasing digitization in all areas of our lives requires Flexibility and proactive behavior. A company can achieve exactly that by adapting to changes and new requirements within a very short time through an agile mindset and agile working methods.
In such organizations there is always in small teams worked. Appreciation, tolerance, fairness, cooperation (opens in new tab) as well as open communication within the workforce are essential basic principles.
Important working methods are:
- Scrum: In Scrum, a project is divided into several sub-steps, the so-called sprints. Such a sprint lasts about 30 days. This is framed by a longer meeting at the beginning and end of the sprint. In addition, short daily meetings ensure that everyone is always up to date.
- Design Thinking: It is a creative problem-solving method that involves putting together a team from different areas of the company. His task is to create and test prototypes in the team until an ideal solution is found.
- Kanban(-Board): This is an instrument for visualizing work processes. A Kanban board usually consists of three columns: to-dos, work in progress & completed tasks. It creates an overview of who is working on what and where problems are currently occurring. Optionally and as required, the board can be supplemented with additional columns.
Agility also promotes innovation. Flexible working methods enable companies to act proactively and innovatively. Creativity always has a fixed place in the work process and thus becomes a driver of innovation. An important prerequisite for keeping your finger on the pulse of digital change.
Conclusion: Into the digital age with confidence
Digital change is a complex and long-term process. But companies need Don’t be afraid to step into the digital age to have. A well thought-out strategy, controlled by proactive change management and a sustainable change in all work processes ensure that digitization is a success.
