The 2020s will be a digitized generation; basically anything and everything is becoming part of the ongoing digital transformation. Companies are daily shifting from the analog mode of operation and adopting the ever-sprouting digital technologies, which are not only increasing productivity but also efficiency and relevance.

From delivery drones and Chatbots, to self-driving vehicles to cloud and blockchain technologies, there are just too many innovations for anyone to remain ignorant of their existence. Digitization will catch up with us in one way or the other leaving us with no choice but to dive in and swim with the current.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
— Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Digital transformation is more than a buzzword; it’s a shift in thinking. It is the profound realisation and acceptance of digital technologies to empower business activities and processes. Digital technologies can disrupt any industry, creating new frontiers of competition.

Companies must continuously adopt emerging digital technologies; the digital tools are there, and those embracing digital will have a head start.

Yet many businesses are still uncertain of where they stand in all this maze of digital transformation, and may be questioning their preparedness for the same. Although digitization is transformative to both the technology and the corporation’s culture, there is still concern about how digital transformation might influence the business, and whether digital collaboration tools can be adopted in the organization.

Nevertheless, digitization is here to stay and it’s really impossible to alienate your business from it unless you are in the process of closing it down! Other than resisting change, the question should be, when and how you make your business (more) digital without risking a digital initiative failure.

Social adoption preparation! Without this, the desire to go digital might remain just that. People love their comfort and introducing new technology in the office may seem disruptive enough. Employees, management, Board, partners and clients may offer resistance.

So, how do you change this perception and become digital?

1. Develop a strategy.

Before investing in that collaborative technology, make a viable plan. You don’t want to put a huge investment on something for nothing. The cost of the technology should allow you to break even over a short period of time, and then increase your ROI. This may never happen unless there is a strategy to ensure employees develop a lasting adoption habit.

2. Have the top leadership buy-in.

While a technological initiative may be executively sponsored, that does not mean the top leadership will automatically adopt it just because they said so. This trickles down in an adoption effect to the other employees, which may eventually to the implemented technology flopping. Instead, have the key leadership buy-in to the technology. Their interest in learning how the digital tool works will act as a motivation to the rest of the employees.

3. Have strong change agents within the organisation.

Have at least one member of the implementation team let people know about the new tool. She or he should be a vocal, adaptable person willing to chat to others.

4. Conduct an all-inclusive launch.

Individuals will be more likely to embrace something they were involved in creating than they would for an imposed change. After taking in employees’ views on what needs improvement, involve the entire leadership body in the project preview, as well as the launch. Create an interesting launch and give appreciation to the early adopters of the new technology.

Additionally, considering that every new technology may require some changes and improvements, interested people in the workforce can help propose necessary upgrades, which the implementation team should take seriously to keep them encouraged as well as enhancing their trust.

A properly planned social adoption strategy is one key factor for any company to become digital. Remember that training makes the adoption faster and that the best digital tool is perfected through user feedback.

Are you looking at new technologies to bring your organization into the age of digitization? Do you need any help with improvements, upgrades and adoption strategies? SBA Business has teams available to help.

Contact us to find out more.

References

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/01/29/how-to-make-your-companys-digital-collaboration-tools-more-effective/#4aa9a0273de5

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/08/17/five-keys-for-guiding-your-company-through-a-digital-transformation/#2638d52d3fbd

https://hackandcraft.com/insights/articles/digital-transformation-more-than-a-buzzword-it-s-a-shift-in-thinking/