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With the world increasingly moving digital, it's become essential for businesses to digitise in order to stay afloat. Tasks that used to take hours can now be completed rapidly with the help of automation - meaning businesses can save time and money while still getting the job done efficiently.
Digital transformation is a process that can often take months or even years for organisations to complete, due to the many complicated factors. However, with the continuous advancement of technology, businesses can now complete the shift in a matter of weeks or even days. As technology keeps changing at a fast pace, businesses must adopt new methods and processes to remain relevant. Sometimes, such change must be made quickly so that the business does not miss out on the benefits. This is the acceleration aspect of digital transformation.
What is Digital Acceleration in Digital Transformation?
Digital acceleration is a key part of any digital transformation journey. Over the past few years, many organisations have been slowly changing the way they operate but when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it was clear that these businesses needed to speed up their transformation in order to survive. By accelerating their digital transformation, these organisations were able to adapt quickly to the new landscape and continue serving their customers in a meaningful way.
Businesses have always needed to be flexible in order to succeed, but this became even more apparent during the pandemic as organisations scrambled to adjust their business models to accommodate remote working and contactless delivery methods. Many businesses struggled with making this change and found themselves needing to streamline workflows to make data more accessible for their workforce. This gave birth to the age of ‘Digital Acceleration’ and the adoption of digitised process management.
Before the global pandemic, many companies' focus was limited to digital transformation. Digital transformation, as most businesses know it, involves transforming one digital process at a time as they have the time, the capital, or a high enough ROI to do so. Digital acceleration is a business strategy that guides the company's future. The focus shifted from digitising a process to adopting the latest technologies. The bitter truth from this, is that there is no standard for digital acceleration roadmap or strategy for companies to follow.
No two organisations are the same, each with their own specific needs that may require different approaches when it comes to change and technology. The best way to accelerate digital transformation efforts is by working with all members of your organisation to create a digital strategy that works for everyone. This way, you can be sure that you're taking the safest route possible while still making progress.
Digital acceleration and digital transformation are not the same thing, even though they both share the common goal of using technology to reshape workflows and keep up with the evolving demands of consumers. However, there are significant differences that can help define digital acceleration more accurately:
- The digital acceleration phase has caused the rate of technology adoption to increase at a much faster rate.
- Digital transformation is an ongoing process that occurs when an organisation adapts its business model and processes to take advantage of digital technologies.
- When digital transformation is taking place, an acceleration of strategy may be employed if there is pressure from competitors or demand from users to prioritise speed. This means that every project is given a sense of urgency so that it can be completed as quickly as possible.
- The digital transformation is a process that requires companies to employ an accelerated strategy in order to keep up with the competition and the demands of users. This means that every project must be completed quickly and efficiently in order to maintain a high level of quality.
How the Pandemic Fuelled Enterprise Digital Transformation
Before the pandemic, both private and public organisations were transitioning to digital business models, but that journey is going at varying speeds. The pandemic has forced a dramatic acceleration of the speed of change and investment in digital transformation.
The digital transformation that was once limited to cloud transformation has now become a major factor in influencing business outcomes. With the outbreak of the pandemic, consumers have rapidly moved towards online channels and businesses have responded in turn. organisations are now building ecosystems that enable growth, innovation and improved user experience under these new conditions.
Many organisations are now focusing on providing digital human experiences through the use of AI and other digital technologies. This can include using AI to analyse customer data and create personalised services for specific segments of users, as well as using digital assistants and other tools to provide more human-like interactions with customers and employees. Additionally, many organisations are partnering with service providers to gain access to advanced AI and other technologies to improve these digital human experiences.
Accelerating Digital Transformation
The global pandemic has accelerated the pace of digital transformation for many organisations, as consumers have shifted to online and digital channels for shopping, communication, and other activities. Businesses that were able to quickly adapt to these changes and offer digital solutions have been better positioned to meet the needs of consumers and maintain their market position. Digital transformation can also help organisations improve their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage. However, it's important to keep in mind that digital transformation is an ongoing process and not a one-time event. Organisations must be prepared to continuously update and improve their digital capabilities in order to stay relevant in today's fast-paced business environment.
Accelerated digital transformation can help organisations bring new products and services to market more quickly and improve their ability to meet the needs of customers. By leveraging technology such as automation and AI, organisations can streamline their processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective. This can help them produce and deliver products and services more quickly, while also improving the quality of their offerings. Additionally, digital transformation can also provide new opportunities for organisations to engage with customers in new and innovative ways, such as through personalised and interactive digital experiences. This can help them to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately leading to increased revenue and profit.
Digital transformation can help organisations improve their operational efficiency and scalability. By automating manual processes, organisations can reduce the risk of errors and improve the accuracy and consistency of their operations. Digital technologies can also provide organisations with the ability to collect and analyse data in real-time, allowing them to make more informed decisions and respond quickly to changes in the market. Additionally, digital platforms can also enable organisations to expand their reach and scale their operations more easily, as digital solutions can often be accessed and used by a global audience. This also allows organisations to be more responsive to market demands and changes. Overall, digital transformation can help organisations to reduce costs, improve their ability to scale and adapt to changing market conditions, and increase revenue through more efficient operations.
Lastly, one of the benefits of accelerated digital transformation is cost savings. Increased productivity leads to lower costs, which can help your business save money. When a system is more efficient, it helps your business save money in the long run.
Areas to Accelerate Digital Transformation
The four areas that are commonly identified as important in a digital transformation are:
- Customer Experience (CX)
- Data & Analytics
- Cloud Computing
- Mobility
In order to succeed, it's not simply a matter of hiring those who are expert in using digital technology, but everyone in the organisation must change their mindset and undergo training that could enable them to work together as a team. Additionally, a business must really understand its users and collect customer data continuously to determine which products or services best meet their needs.
Finally, organisations must be willing to adapt to mobility in order to stay competitive in today's business environment. As more and more employees use smartphones and tablets to access information, organisations must ensure that their digital systems and processes are mobile-friendly and accessible from a variety of devices.
Three Tactics to Accelerate a Digital Transformation
In order for a business to succeed, everyone involved must change their mindset and work together as a team. This shift cannot be accomplished by simply hiring those who are experts in using digital technology - employees must undergo training that will enable them to work together efficiently. Furthermore, a business must really understand its users to provide a better experience. Continuously collecting customer data is essential to determine which products or services best meet their needs.
We've found that there are three key tactics that commonly lead to success in digital transformation for organisations.
- Use technology to make other technology invisible. Use AI to detect unusual behaviour and then simplify the two-factor authentication experience. This may require completely eliminating current, outdated technology in favour of newer technology.
- Actively shape day-to-day behaviour and remove the need for a physical signature. Applications, forms and agreements can now be signed digitally, making it more convenient for everyone involved.
- Systematically reinforce desired behaviour changes, it is important to have a plan and be consistent with using these productivity-boosting strategies.Productivity can be enhanced by incorporating digital tools and technology into your work routine. The latest technology also allows people to work remotely from anywhere in the world.
Adopting Digital Transformation to Accelerate Business Growth
Digital transformation is more important than ever in today's economy. However, businesses don't transform by choice. They must follow consumer demands or face collapse. Digital transformation can help businesses accelerate their activities, processes, and competencies. In this context, the speed of digitalisation has become a business imperative for all organisations. Digital transformation can vary based on the organisation's unique challenges and demands. However, there are a few factors and common elements that businesses and technology leaders should consider upon embarking on their digital transformation journey.
Digital transformation is becoming increasingly popular as a means for businesses to gain a competitive edge. The most common elements of digital transformation include customer experience, operational agility, culture and leadership, workforce enablement, and digital technology integration. When an organisation is able to fulfil these elements, they are likely to see accelerated business growth.
Conclusion
Digital transformation is essential for businesses that want to succeed and grow. All aspects of running a business are highly benefited with digital transformation. But, a successful digital transformation mainly relies on people. Naturally, implementing such complex changes in an organisation comes with its additional challenges that must be faced. By applying a human-centric approach, your organisation can begin the journey to a successful digital transformation.
By working with us, your organisation will be better positioned to emerge as the new leaders in the post-COVID era. We will help you rose as the masters of transformation and help you adapt to the new landscape.
Contact us to learn how we can help you speed up your digital transformation journey!