The world is constantly changing and, for some years now, what used to be valid in the business world no longer is. New technologies are here to stay. Although this may be terrifying for many, the truth is that they should be seen as a way of optimizing time and work. However, there are companies that resist change and look the other way every time they hear talk of digital transformation. The truth is that, although it may seem a complex concept, it is only necessary to carry out a few steps to obtain multiple benefits.
Digital transformation is the digitization of all the sectors that make up a company. This inclusion of new technologies allows the firm to open up to new markets, to have a greater reach, and to optimize its time. In short, the method by which companies operated a few years ago has become obsolete. Today, if you want to succeed and not be overtaken by the competition, digital transformation is a step you must take as soon as possible.
The benefits of digital transformation
Market knowledge
That’s right, digital transformation allows a thorough understanding of the market your company is targeting. Technology provides multiple options to understand everything you need to know about your target audience, such as what their tastes are and what problems they suffer from.
Decisions better directed
By having an endless amount of data on the market, the competition, and your target audience at your fingertips, you will be able to make concrete decisions based on reliable data. Nowadays, it is unthinkable to plan a strategy without a previous data analysis that allows you to see where you are and what you need to reach the goal you want.
Open your market
With digital transformation, borders are blurring, and the whole world is connected through business relationships. Your presence in search engines and social networks will allow you to reach as many countries as you want. Thus, the population or the size of the city in which you are located is no longer important, and the quality and quantity of your presence in the digital world is more important.
End the separation between different parts of your business
Digital transformation allows a closer relationship between the different areas of your company. Communication between departments has often proved to be cumbersome to say the least. However, the entry of digitalization achieves a continuous and direct contact between the different teams. This avoids possible errors caused by misinformation, and greater cooperation will increase productivity. If you have several branches spread across the country, you will get the most out of this. In fact, many companies are transforming and adopting telecommuting, something that would be impossible without digital transformation. You will also notice the difference when it comes to interacting with your customers or distributors.
Optimize your time
Thanks to the many tools offered by today’s technology, there are tasks that used to take up a good part of the working day and now only take a few minutes. This is one of the greatest advantages of digital transformation; there are programs and applications designed for each market sector and for each type of task. This streamlines work and optimizes time, not to mention reducing costs. In the long run, this translates into increased productivity for every member of the company.
Helps you get rid of the competition
Thanks to all the above points, you will be able to keep your finger on the pulse of the competition. Knowledge of the market, the large amount of data at your disposal, expansion to other locations and increased productivity will help you position yourself among the first in the industry. In addition, thanks to digitalization, there are more and more options to differentiate your products and services from those of your competitors. Imagination has no limits here, and there are all kinds of proposals.
Key technologies for digital transformation and their advantages
Internet of Things or IoT
The Internet of Things is the one that allows physical objects to connect to the Internet, such as light bulbs or medical devices. This technology streamlines processes, reduces uncertainty and eliminates a large part of unforeseen events. With it, you can access data remotely and control certain processes. At the industrial level, IoT is a before and after.
Exchange of information
Among the advantages of this type of technology is the immediate exchange of information. For example, it allows you to know the status of an order that you have sent to another country or that you want to receive from a distributor. Likewise, you will also know if it has suffered any inconvenience when it stops somewhere along the way. In terms of security, your company will be completely protected, since at the slightest sign of theft, the police will automatically be called without you having to do anything. If you work with heavy machines, you will have the opportunity to know when they fail and why, so that engineers can take action.
Energy savings
By incorporating the Internet of Things in your company, you will achieve great energy savings. For example, no light or computer will be left on when the office is empty or when there is enough natural light. You will be able to program the lighting to turn on according to the working day or depending on sunlight. In addition, if you have electric blinds, you can also make them go up at a certain time. This is very useful, since when working on tasks that require a lot of concentration, employees tend to neglect these types of issues. Thus, it is very common to find the office with the blinds down and the lights on at 11 o’clock in the morning.
On the other hand, energy savings will also be reflected in air conditioning. With the Internet of Things, the heating or air conditioning will be turned on according to the time you have left to get to the office or based on weather conditions.
Big Data
Big Data is a term that refers to the large amount of data coming into a business. Its objective is to be able to gather all this information to increase profits and streamline the firm’s processes.
In-depth knowledge of customers
With this technology, you will be able to know your customers in a more precise and accurate way. In this way, you will be able to target them in a much more accurate way. In the marketing world, the multiple tools available allow for less costly and more effective campaigns. In addition, it also helps to know the mistakes made to avoid them in the future. You will know in which digital media your target audience is present, what topics interest them and what formats attract their attention.
Good working environment
On the internal side of the company, Big Data also plays an important role. Thanks to it, you will be able to select new employees according to certain information of interest, to which you will have access. In addition, you will be able to carry out studies in which you can see how employee productivity varies according to conditions, working hours, time of year or treatment in the team. At the same time, they will be able to provide you with data on their relationship with the company, their well-being with the position and with their colleagues. This way, you can carry out the necessary procedures to ensure an optimal working environment.
Reduces time
Thanks to Big Data Analytics programs, you will be able to shorten the time it takes to develop a new product or service, having the data you need almost instantly at your disposal. This will optimize your work time, and you will be able to defend yourself more quickly against the competition or unforeseen events. On the other hand, costs will be reduced.
Helps you position yourself in the industry
Thanks to the analysis of all the data that land daily in your business and a good management of them, you will be able to offer your target audience what they are looking for and at a price that fits their standard of living and budgets. This way, you will have an advantage over the competition.
Mobile platforms
It is not something new—mobile devices are an indispensable tool in any aspect of life, but even more so in the workplace. Thanks to smartphones or tablets, you will be connected at all times, being able to solve urgent problems or work from anywhere.
Versatility
Mobile devices allow you to work from anywhere. Since they are very convenient to carry, you can take them anywhere with you. You will not only benefit from this when you are on the road, but also between meetings or on the go. At the same time, the rest of the staff will have the same possibility, so the activity will be more dynamic.
Immediacy
When a problem arises, you will be able to be as decisive as possible and act immediately. In addition, the data you access will always be up-to-date, so you will be informed of any news instantly.
Comfort
With a mobile device at your fingertips, you can hold virtual meetings with staff or customers. You can also share the screen to display graphics or documentation of interest. No doubt, convenience will be greatly enhanced with the advent of mobile platforms in the enterprise.
Steps to digital transformation
Keep an open mind
This first point is crucial to carry out a digital transformation in your company. The typical ‘this is not for me’ mentality is nothing more than a death sentence for any business. You may feel overwhelmed at first. However, if you make it a point to step out of your comfort zone, you will look at everything from a different perspective and see everything from a more positive and comforting side.
Today, your customers use new technologies to perform any task, whether to talk to their relatives, to check their bank account, to move around the city or to study. After all, companies need to be in tune with their target audience. If consumers make full use of new technologies, so must you.
Promotes an understanding of the digital world in the company.
From managers to members of the company with less responsibility, everyone must be aware of developments in the digital world. To this end, organize courses taught by experts to teach them how to defend themselves in the current business landscape. In addition, encourage them to promote self-knowledge. It is important that they know the reasons why digital transformation is necessary and the advantages they will receive with the change.
Include new technologies in your strategies
After training on the subject, incorporate in each sector of the company those technologies that best suit the company. In each strategy, make use of digital media to achieve your objectives or resolve relevant issues.
In summary, it is important that you do not see digital transformation as a huge leap to be made overnight, but as what it is: a transformation. Take small steps that gradually lead you to work side by side with technologies in the day-to-day running of your business. In most cases, entrepreneurs are overwhelmed by this change due to impatience. If you go little by little, sector by sector, and you have the necessary knowledge and support. And eventually, everything will be much easier for you.
