Digital transformation is the integration of innovative tools into business processes that unlock operational and competitive advantages. Although digital transformation focuses on taking analogue processes and innovating them digitally, existing digital processes can also be transformed with better software and infrastructure solutions.

Because most businesses have a digital transformation strategy, it may be too late to catch up entirely if you wait until you need to change. Investing now is a low-risk, high-reward strategy for meaningful transformation.

Digital transformation starts with leadership

The first thing to do is add a new transformation-specific leadership position to your business. A Chief Digital Officer (CDO) on staff is a good appointment to ensure a single person is responsible for digital transformation.

You also need to identify integrators, employees who can bridge knowledge gaps and help others adopt new tools/software.

Start by upgrading old tools

The tools and software you use every day might have superior alternatives. For example, Microsoft Office on a desktop is a closed system compared to Google Workspace. You might prefer Google’s offering for cloud-based collaboration.

Another example is internal emails. Rather than use email, you could use Slack to place all internal communication under one system.

If you allow remote work, you might need a secure way to enable it. For this, you can use a modern IAM (identity and access management) tool.

By upgrading the tools you use every day with newer solutions, you can unlock quick wins with no risk of downtime. Many tools also integrate with old tools, transferring data and importing settings like a web browser.

Look for new solutions to existing problems

Your business processes will have inefficiencies. We recommend assessing your processes to identify problems and weak spots.

95% of IT leaders are prioritising workflow automation, which makes sense because  eliminating manual tasks makes room for more strategic tasks that grow your business.

Some of the tools you can use to accelerate your digital transformation include:

  • Identity and access management tools (IAM)
  • Configure, price, quote (CPQ) software
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) technology
  • Content management systems (CMS)
  • Payroll and HR management systems
  • Digital accounting tools
  • Digital recruiting tools
  • Inventory management software
  • SaaS cloud storage solutions
  • Communication tools (e.g. Skype, Zoom)
  • Project management tools (e.g. Asana, Slack, Microsoft Teams)

There is a tool/software to solve every process problem. For example, CPQ software automates the admin sales reps, and sales managers must do to close sales, like configuring custom products and building quotes.

Investing in the right mix of tools and digital capabilities is imperative for your business to deliver the digital transformation that yields results. Look for tools/software that automates and simplifies analogue processes to unlock greater efficiency.