Digitalisation: our 6 expert tips

It is undeniable that society is moving towards a digital future. Increasing demands for productivity and competitiveness make digitalization inevitable. Digitalisation streamlines the user experience. And speeds up the interaction between companies and customers. It also results in better products and higher profitability.

This fundamental trend presents companies with significant opportunities. However, the road to digitalisation is fraught with challenges. In this article, we give you 6 tips for successful digitalisation.

1. Transform the business model

In the digital age, it is necessary to rethink products and services so that they are mobile-first. They must be entirely omnichannel, the customer must be able to access different points of contact with the company. Without any break in the sales and customer relations process. Communication, marketing, prospecting, and distribution must be available online, 24/7.

2. Changing the organisation to move out of project mode into product mode

It is becoming necessary to break down the silos in the company’s organization. And ensure that teams work together sustainably with common objectives. It is therefore becoming necessary to set up stable end-to-end organizations. Linked to a product or service and not to a project. These teams must be responsible for the design and manufacture of the product or service. As well as for its management once it is on the market.

3. Integrating agile approaches to reduce the time-to-market of digital products

For years, organizations have been built on a process-oriented approach. Such an approach structures the interactions between individuals and the different departments of the company. To break down silos and implement a product-oriented organization, it is necessary to introduce agile practices. Whatever they may be, in order to significantly improve collaboration between people and reduce friction in the organization. In fact, it is essential to add all the practices and tools linked to DevOps and test automation, without which the time-to-market will always remain unsatisfactory.

4. Modernising the information system and opening it up to the Internet

Most companies have to deal on a daily basis with old and outdated information systems. They are often made up of applications that have been lost due to turnover or lack of documentation. Or they are software packages that only the vendor has control over. These systems need to be modernized, usually involving major overhauls, to make them more modular and open, thanks to APIs so that they can evolve rapidly to meet business challenges and bring more innovation through the creation of communities of developers outside the company.

5. Adopting a data-centric vision

Data is the new black gold, that’s what we’ve been hearing for some years now. Companies sometimes have incredible amounts of data. The quality of which leaves something to be desired and which is almost impossible to cross-check. This is because the databases and the organization were not designed to allow this. Implementing a structured strategy to create and manage the collection, quality, aggregation, and reporting of company data can significantly improve sales and retention processes. As well as increase operational excellence.

6. Train employees in the new digital tools and practices

Employees are the first resource on which the company relies to go digital. They are the ones who are on the front line of the customer and who must integrate the new tools and uses linked to digital into their daily lives. The company must therefore support them through training and coaching to enable them to improve their skills. And sometimes the basics have to be reviewed. Such as the use of a simple computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. Soft skills should not be left aside, they are often decisive in accelerating the transformation.

Finally

Do you want to know everything about digitalisation? Have a look at the articles in this category.

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