The top three myths of the transformation journey
- Published on October 17, 2018
Dalia Raphael Founder and Director at Delta Insights I Winner of RN WIICT – Entrepreneur Award 2020
Digital transformation is much more than the latest business buzzword. It’s delivering real and measurable results for businesses that plan their journey and execute it carefully.
Whether you’re yet to start your digital transformation journey or you’re already some way down the track, it’s important to be aware of three key transformation myths that can hold your business back.
1. The IT department will sort out our digital journey
Digital transformation is about digital, so it makes sense for the IT department to take the lead, right? Well, no.
True digital transformation is about much, much more than simply implementing a new technology or infrastructure. While technology provides the tools to transform your business, a successful digital transformation will encompass new ways of thinking about customers, products and services, business models, talent pools, organisational structures, and the ecosystem the business relies on. This means business leaders and managers must be actively involved.
For some organisations, digital transformation will also require a significant cultural change to cope with the wholesale nature of the organisational changes. Leadership must come from the top and permeate all levels of the business.
2. People will love new systems instantly
After all, the new systems will make their lives easier, right? Not necessarily.
People are inherently resistant to change. Digital transformation will naturally involve a great deal of change and, for many people, the way they do their work will be revolutionised. And, even though these changes are absolutely for the better, that doesn’t mean people will feel comfortable straight away.
Digital transformation touches many departments and user groups, from customer service, finance, and operations to sales and marketing. It’s essential to understand the culture and people involved, and conduct a strategic change management program alongside any other transformational initiatives.
You should choose a vendor that will help you navigate these changes and that understands your culture. Failing to consider culture will set your transformation initiative up for failure.
3. The system we chose is best of breed
But is it best for your business? And how can you tell?
You may choose a product that has proven itself for another business, even your direct competitors. That’s surely a good sign it’ll work for you too. But the truth can be quite different.
After all, how much do you really know about their specific challenges and desired outcomes? No two businesses are exactly alike, so it’s important to take the time to figure out your unique challenges, your goals, and your timeframe for achieving those goals.
It’s important to think about system connectivity and how well it can integrate with the rest of your business systems. If it’s a highly customised solution, will it be expensive to maintain and upgrade? Or can you achieve those customised features with extensions and APIs?
In many cases, a platform is a better approach. For example, the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform offers modules designed for specific business needs, and you can build on these to create the solution that suits you without necessarily investing in a high number of customisations. Furthermore, Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions are familiar and easy to use, and the integrate tightly with business productivity tools like Office 365 including Outlook.
You can start with one or two modules and expand as your business grows and your needs change. To find out more about how Delta Insights can help you design the right solution for your needs, and avoid the myths and pitfalls of digital transformation, contact us today.