How to lead the change to digitization?

The digital transformation in companies is not just a marketing campaign nor does it seek to position itself in the market and be more competitive. Its benefit includes all the other areas of the company, since it pursues an intelligent organization and in which all its members, from the workers to the main leaders, contribute ideas and where collaboration and learning are a constant.

This implies the adoption of technologies and digital skills to optimize processes, improve efficiency and increase customer satisfaction. This can include the automation of tasks, the implementation of information management systems and the integration of cloud applications. It can also include launching new business models and creating more innovative digital customer experiences.

A crucial aspect to understand how to carry out this process of change is the leadership within the entities to promote a true digital revolution. Leaders are needed who are good strategists, as well as guides, who support other workers to understand the new changes and at the same time constitute a source of inspiration in the organization. That is why when we ask ourselves how to lead the change towards digitalization, this requires a strategic approach and careful planning. Some of the ways to lead the shift towards digitization include:

Establish a clear view

All companies, from the most prominent in the market, to those with the best economic results, with large income indicators, need to start their journey towards digital transformation, otherwise in a very few years, due to the speed of the new advances in technology and society in general, will no longer be able to occupy their current positions. For this, it is important to establish a clear and shared vision of the benefits and objectives of digitization.

For all this, it is necessary to identify the processes of the company that can be improved through digitization and prioritize them based on their impact on the company.

Build a team to drive digital transformation

The creation of a dedicated digitization leadership team will be more than necessary to carry out all the required changes. This team can guide the organization on the journey to digitization and ensure that the right decisions are being made about the implementation and resources required for digitization. The leadership team may also be responsible for monitoring results.

For this, it is crucial to choose a Chief of Digital Officer with extensive knowledge about the company, its operation and the possibilities offered by digitization. This person is responsible for designing and creating the entity’s Digitization Plan, a strategy that involves all current processes through the implementation of new technology and a change of mentality.

This manager is also in charge of communicating to the rest of the senior management of the organization about all the advances proposed to achieve a common goal, such as cost reduction, revenue increase, improvement of the business strategy and competitiveness and increased productivity thanks to the advantages of the digital strategy.

There is also the figure of the Chief Technology Officer, with a more technical profile but who in turn will be crucial to guide on the best software tools and monitor the entire process of implementation of computer programs within the organization. His knowledge and skills are more than essential to launch the entire process of transformations and improvements in the operation of the company.

In short, having a leadership team is essential to establishing a clear and shared vision, setting goals, communicating and aligning efforts, making strategic decisions, and being accountable for the implementation of digitalization.

Investing in technology

It is important to invest in cutting-edge technology to support digitization and ensure that the company is prepared for the future. The most advanced technologies not only support this strategy but also bring countless improvements in the competitiveness and development of the entity.

This can include the implementation of automated systems, improving the efficiency of existing processes, adopting new communication channels, creating new business models, using artificial intelligence and data analysis.

While technology is an important part, it is not everything in the digital transformation process. Thinking like this can be one of the errors that can get companies off to a bad start. It is useless to use technological tools if the actions and logic of the company and its workers continue to carry out processes and actions without the necessary change of mentality.

Promote the culture of change

Given the above, it is more than important to foster a culture of change in the company and ensure that all employees know how to take advantage of all these changes and do not feel excluded, but rather have a more active role. Therefore, it will be crucial to involve all levels of the organization in the process, and ensure clear and transparent communication to guarantee the success of the change. A culture of innovation that seeks to support employees in exploring and testing new technologies and processes must also be fostered.

Implement a training plan

In addition to the culture of change, in order for everyone in the organization to fully understand the digitization plan, a series of training must be carried out to ensure that employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to work with digital technology.

It is also vital to communicate the goals and new processes to the staff. On the other hand, a more proactive role in the presentation of proposals, such as the adoption of new tools, the automation of processes or changes in work dynamics, ensures greater commitment among all employees.

Partner with external experts and consultants

It’s important to partner with outside digital technology experts to gain an outside perspective and take advantage of best practices. For example, specialized consultancies in the sector where our company operates are crucial to provide us with valuable advice and points of view for the implementation of the digital strategy.