Digital transformation in large companies has become an urgent reality today. The business shows us we face two great constants: changes and challenges.

A company must dedicate resources and efforts to technological adoption to stay current. This implies the implementation of digital technologies, process improvement and efficient change management. In this short article, we will discuss some challenges that digital transformation brings.

To generate a successful digital transformation, the message must be clear and accompanied by medium and long-term goals consistent with the CEO’s vision and strategies. 

Executives must believe in digital transformation, be aware of its benefits and commit to supporting and infecting the rest of the organization in this change process. 

Change management

Companies must carry out correct change management. Although technology often replaces labor, it is no less accurate that human intervention will always be necessary for most processes.

The starting point for designing a change management plan is the fear of being replaced, the resistance to a change in the way of doing things, and the little willingness to adopt new work tools. 

You must be prepared to evangelize user groups with a high content predisposition and stuck in their comfort zone. Defining strategies that allow us to carry out a transition of significant impact and relevance, supported by effective communication campaigns with clear messages and well-defined audiences, is necessary to guarantee the achievement of organizational goals. 

Automation

Companies placed on the path of digital transformation must be aware of the need to change traditional work patterns. This implies, among other things, improvements to our work and production tools. 

The strategy for adopting new technologies must focus on improving the efficiency of our processes, productivity, reducing costs, efforts and improving the experience of our stakeholders.

Another challenge derived from automation is to guarantee the standardization and adoption of new technologies. Users must understand that these changes are not temporary but must form part of the new work culture and serve as multiplying agents for the rest of their teams.

Digital Resources

A Digital Transformation project encourages large companies to promote and develop digital resources. This refers to training teams of professionals to have a broad command of digital skills and tools that are of daily use and facilitate their management.

Large and traditional companies often need to outsource professional services due to the need for more resources with an adequate level of technological adoption.

To tackle a good DT project, companies must be willing to spend time and effort developing essential resources that support the achievement of each digital transformation objective.

The acquisition of technological skills and knowledge must be a commitment at all levels of the company. We must move with technology and avoid getting caught up in a reactive approach that permeates our ability to adapt and respond.

The User

A company that embarks on a digital transformation process must be aware that, in many cases, this will impact how we interact with our end users. In our country, this is a significant challenge because if we try to change how we interact with our external users, we will likely encounter a high level of resistance.

This originates in what I call “Folklorism,” which refers to users who are used to always doing things in the same way because that is how they were taught. This generates excellent resistance to change for fear of leaving their comfort zone.

On the other hand, we need more technological skills from our external clients. This implies a great challenge because, as a company, we must try to get our clients to adopt the new way of doing business without impacting our commercial relationship.

Digital Transformation is a race where the one with clear objectives and the support of his people goes far, not the one who goes the fastest or the one with the most resources. The TD is not a whim, it is not a fashion, it is a necessity, and those companies that do not evolve will have to face rejection and oblivion.