10 Ways to Make Your Digital Transformation a Success

Complex challenges, new limitations and unforeseeable threats, video conferences as the new normal - the coronavirus pandemic offers new proof of how important digitalization is.

Many companies are using the situation as an opportunity to start digitalizing their business or reassess the steps they've taken so far.

But what does digitalization require specifically? Here are ten tips for a successful digital transformation.

1. Make a Solid Plan.

Despite all the flashy technology and hot trends, digitalization is serious business. Where, how much, and how should transformation happen? What products will be phased out by the market? From defining useful metrics to creating a clear and inspiring vision, your digital journey requires careful planning.

2. Create a Culture of Innovation - Including an Acceptance of Failure.

Mistakes and failures are unavoidable. Develop a culture where it's always okay to ask questions, take risks and try new things. When employees feel safe doing this, the company becomes a space where curiosity and creativity drive innovation.

3. Get Networking.

Digitalization isn't a one-man show. Step up the networking among your departments and explore partnerships with external experts and other companies. That will keep you flexible and multiply your perspectives and options.

4. Formulate Clear Goals.

Clear goals are the cornerstone of every successful strategy. Digitalization is driven by people working toward a vision they believe in. So ground your vision in reality and communicate it transparently, or resources will be wasted and motivated employees will become cynics.

5. Create Content and Services Specifically for Your Target Groups.

Digital services and applications should always focus on a specific target group or customer. Digital customers are used to quick solutions and tend to have little brand loyalty, yet also hunger to be understood. So translating and localizing content in a way that shows digital customers that you understand them is the key to success. From omnichannel communications and first-class customer service to personalized products, becoming customer centric is a major investment - and a smart one.

6. Start With a Pilot Project and Proceed Step-by-Step.

Digitalization may seem like an impossible leap into the unknown. So try starting with a smaller pilot project to manage risk while gaining valuable insights and experiencing a taste of success. Choose a team and topic that are likely to yield good outcomes, and share the lessons learned. Proceed in planned stages, adjusting your strategy as you scale.

7. Celebrate Successes Together.

Digitalization delivers challenges before results and can feel discouraging and uncertain. Reinforce a culture of positive risk-taking and success by congratulating a team member on a successful launch or interviewing them on what they've learned after a challenging project. Make it clear that digitalization is a team success story.

8. Develop a Coherent Data Strategy.

Modern technologies offer unprecedented ways of gathering and interpreting data. This usually means a shift to Big Data and data-driven business. Respond with a comprehensive data and security strategy, from consulting cloud-computing experts to partnering with a translation agency so that critical documents are in good hands.

9. Integrate Systems.

From core technologies to project management and CRM, your company's systems will benefit from integration. That creates synergies, reduces costs and gives you a clear overview.

10. Analyze Data Holistically.

Your organization needs to continuously assess what tools are worth investing in when it comes to predicting new threats or better understanding customers. Create a big picture shaped by all your data, and use it as the foundation for every data-driven decision. Is the e-shop seeing more traffic from Spain? A localization partner might offer the key to a new market. Holistic data analysis opens innovative business possibilities and belongs in every strategy.