A Business Guide to Digital Transformation

The way businesses run has continued to shift over the past decade. Not only have market trends changed, but the way people interact with businesses has also evolved. Over 94% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 own a smartphone and use it for everything from finding locations with Google Maps to making online purchases through apps. That’s made digital transformation a critical part of engaging with modern customers.

Not only do businesses need to make themselves visible online, but technology usage also lets them stay more competitive. Modern software and hardware can greatly increase productivity when used properly, allowing businesses to get a lot more out of less. That’s why digital transformation spending was an estimated 2.15 trillion globally in 2023. Even small companies are finding creative ways to use technology, and it’s essential not to fall behind.

What Is Digital Transformation?

Digital transformation is the process of integrating digital technology to improve a business’s operations and deliver value to customers. It often involves a cultural shift that requires organizations to embrace new ideas to stay ahead of the competition. By leveraging digital tools and methods, companies can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and tap into new markets.

The Four Types of Digital Transformation

While there is a lot involved with digital transformation, the types are commonly narrowed down into four different areas:

Type 1: Business Model Transformation

That involves using digital technologies to change and enhance a business’s core operations and overall approach. It can range from using AI for dynamic pricing to changing how products or services are delivered. One example is how many cable TV programs have moved to streaming services, with 85% of U.S. households having at least one streaming subscription.

Type 2: Business Process Transformation

Process transformation focuses on improving existing methods to become more efficient and cost-effective. Supply chain management falls into this category. Many larger stores are using AI to help predict customer trends and ensure the right products are stocked. The aim is to automate tasks to boost productivity and customer satisfaction.

Type 3: Domain Transformation

Transforming a business’s domains often involves innovation, expansion, or shifting to an entirely different market. Amazon is a good example of domain transformation. Although it started as an online bookstore, it has embraced e-commerce, cloud services, video streaming, delivery logistics, product development, and more.

Type 4: Cultural Transformation 

Lastly, successful digital transformation requires a cultural change within an organization. That involves moving away from older strategies to be more flexible and collaborative. That’s led to more businesses allowing remote work and embracing a more customer-focused mindset. Workers also must learn new digital tools, which can completely change their routines.

Technologies That Enable Digital Transformation

Technology is more accessible than ever, with one-third of the $5 trillion information technology IT market in the U.S. alone. Digital tools can come in many sizes and shapes, allowing for more flexibility for businesses. Here are some of the key ones used:

• Cloud Computing: Provides businesses with scalable, on-demand computing resources. That cuts upfront costs in hardware and enables more effective usage of software and apps.
• Big Data Analytics: Allows organizations to easily collect and process large amounts of data, leading to more informed decision-making.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI has seen massive growth over the past two years, with tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT helping with everything from programming to data analytics.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Connects different devices and systems. In turn, this allows for improved efficiency and enhanced data collection and can enable new services.
• Mobile Technology: Enables businesses to stay connected with customers and employees anytime and anywhere, improving communication, collaboration, and customer engagement.
• Cybersecurity Solutions: As businesses rely more on technology, cybersecurity helps protect them from digital threats and keep data more secure.
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Automates repetitive and simple tasks, freeing employees to focus on more strategic work, thus improving productivity and efficiency.
• 5G Networks: Provides faster and more reliable internet connectivity. It supports the growth of mobile applications, IoT, and other technologies that require high-speed data transfer.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Offers more immersive experiences that can enhance training, product development, and customer interaction.

The Role of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity goes hand in hand with digital transformation. As businesses become increasingly reliant on technology, digital threats have also expanded. That means considering not only whether something is a good solution but also whether it’s a secure choice. Many regulations for data management exist, and new cybersecurity rules are regularly being proposed.

Organizations must balance innovation with security, ensuring technological growth does not compromise safety. That means cybersecurity should always be part of any good digital transformation strategy. Data security regulations aren’t there to add work; they exist because they’re proven to keep businesses safer.

The Benefits of Digital Transformation

Digital transformation offers a range of benefits to businesses aiming to stay competitive and meet changing customer needs. Here are some of the key ones:

• Enhanced Customer Experience: Digital tools provide more personalized and efficient customer service. By understanding customer preferences and behaviors, businesses can tailor their offerings, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty.
• Improved Efficiency and Productivity: Automating and streamlining routine work can significantly reduce time and costs, allowing employees to engage more with higher-level tasks.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Access to real-time data and analytics helps businesses make informed decisions, identify trends, and better predict customer needs.
• Increased Innovation: Digital transformation encourages creativity and innovation by providing new ways to approach challenges, develop products, and enter markets.
• Better Communication: Digital platforms can improve communication and collaboration, especially with remote workers.
• Scalability: Digital solutions can grow with a business, providing flexibility to accommodate staff changes and increased customer numbers.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is a major threat for any business with a digital presence. Web phishing alone has nearly tripled since 2023, meaning a lack of online presence could lead customers to get tricked by fake websites.

By embracing digital transformation, businesses can improve their operations, offer better value to customers, and gain peace of mind with stronger cybersecurity.

The Challenges of Changing Technology

The challenges of adapting to new technology can significantly affect a company’s digital transformation efforts. One core issue is the speed of changes. Businesses must quickly adapt to remain competitive, though that’s easier said than done. For example, AI usage has skyrocketed over the last 18 months, yet some businesses still refuse to test or acknowledge its potential benefits.

New technology can also create a skill gap among employees who may struggle to keep pace, requiring more training or shifting rules. Older systems aren’t always compatible, either, such as Windows 10 being phased out. Delaying digital transformation leaves many businesses in tough spots, forcing them to make major changes with little planning. That can lead to bloated expenses, confused staff, and hindsight that might cause regret.

To overcome these hurdles, companies should promote ongoing learning and adaptability. Training employees, clear communication, and effective management can help ease the transition. A step-by-step approach to adopting new technologies can also help, ensuring systems remain flexible for future updates. By proactively embracing digital transformation, businesses can ensure they have the time to do it right.

Examples of Digital Transformation

Digital transformation can seem daunting, especially for small businesses. However, most can benefit from simple and everyday usage. Here are some examples:

1. Online Booking Systems

Online booking systems allow customers to schedule appointments anytime, reducing the number of live contacts and enabling staff to focus on other services.

2. Social Media Marketing

Social media is an effective way to engage with local customers. For example, a restaurant might post daily specials, respond to reviews, and engage with the community, increasing visibility and attracting more diners.

3. Cloud Storage Solutions

Paper filing can be cumbersome, and even when well organized, it can take time to find specific documents. Cloud solutions make those same files easily accessible from anywhere, offer digital security, and reduce the physical space needed for file storage.

4. E-commerce Platforms

E-commerce platforms allow businesses to sell products online. Considering an estimated 2.64 billion people shopped online at least once in 2023, companies can reach far beyond their local community for new customers to boost sales.

5. Remote Work Technologies 

Many jobs can be done virtually. Cloud-based solutions allow staff to stay connected with their workplace regardless of distance. Outsourced services, like IT help desks, also work long-distance and can allow for lower costs and fast response times.

6. Customer Data Management

CRM systems can help track customer behavior. That can be used to help track purchasing trends, anticipate future needs, and streamline the sales process. If there’s a customer account system, it can even be used to deliver personalized offers based on past viewing and purchases.

These are just a few examples of how businesses can apply digital transformation. Different tools and services align better with different markets, so finding the best technological blend for your needs is beneficial.

How To Develop a Digital Transformation Strategy

While new technology can be exciting, not every new solution is the right choice for a business. A digital transformation strategy allows you to more objectively narrow down and choose the best approach. Below are some steps you can take to help guide you through the process.

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Determine what your business aims to achieve through digital transformation. Goals could range from improving customer service to increasing efficiency or sales. Ensure these goals are specific, measurable, and aligned with your objectives.

Step 2: Evaluate Current Tech and Processes

Take stock of your existing tools and workflows. Identify gaps and areas where digital solutions could bring worthwhile improvements. This step should involve feedback from different departments and staff members to get a balanced view.

Step 3: Identify Key Areas for Digital Adoption

Based on your evaluation, pinpoint the areas where digital changes will have the most impact. These include areas like customer relationship management, internal communication, and general productivity.

Step 4: Prioritize and Plan

Arrange your digital initiatives by priority, focusing first on areas that will bring quick wins or significant value. Develop a phased plan that outlines what will be implemented and when.

Step 5: Prepare Your Team

Ensure your employees are ready and equipped for the changes. This might involve training sessions, hiring new talent, or redefining roles to suit the digital strategy better. Open communication is a key part of this step.

Step 6: Implement in Stages 

Roll out new technologies or processes in manageable phases. Starting small allows you to test and learn from each step, adjusting as necessary. The IT team and the rest of the staff should coordinate closely.

Step 7: Monitor and Adjust

Review the progress and impact of your digital transformation efforts throughout the process. Be prepared to tweak your strategy based on feedback and changing business needs.

Step 8: Maintain and Optimize

Once the new technology is fully integrated and goals are met, you can shift to maintaining and optimizing for ongoing efficiency and security.

Measuring the Progress

Tracking the progress of digital transformation involves setting measurable goals. Start by identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your objectives. These could include metrics such as website traffic, sales conversions, customer engagement rates, or increased internal output. Establishing a baseline is important so you can better track and understand the impact.

Regularly review these metrics and compare them to your goals. Utilize tools like analytics dashboards to monitor real-time progress and identify areas that may require adjustments. Remember, digital transformation is an ongoing process. That means adjusting your strategies based on the data collected is essential. Success should not only be measured by the immediate impact but also by long-term improvements.

Future Trends in Digital Transformation

The usage of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) should continue to grow in the coming years. Whether it’s automating routine tasks, analyzing vast amounts of data, or acting as a digital assistant, how it’s used is becoming increasingly versatile. While it can’t entirely replace the human touch, it can help free up time to focus more on higher-value tasks.

Another notable trend is the shift towards cloud solutions and everything as a Service (XaaS). All-in-one software and service suites give greater access to different solutions at a much cheaper price. Everything is accessible online, making it easier to use and manage across different devices. It also lowers the overall hardware requirements for many tasks. The goal is more flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to adapt to market changes quickly.

With customer tracking and data analytics impacting every part of society, privacy concerns have grown in recent years. For example, companies like Google can estimate the likelihood of some types of health conditions based on search habits. While medical providers must follow HIPAA regulations, companies like Google don’t. That can make personal data more vulnerable and will likely lead to new data handling laws being written in the future.

Cybersecurity is also a factor as privacy and personal data continue to be a challenge. As gathered data becomes increasingly valuable, it’s important to manage it with care. In many ways, cybersecurity is an arms race, where both sides try to counter the other and develop new tactics to get a step ahead. Businesses should create a response plan, follow industry IT compliance laws, and proactively prepare for cyber threats.

Every Business Should Embrace Digital Transformation

Digital transformation isn’t just about the technology itself but also about the people and processes it connects to. It’s crucial to stay relevant and competitive as market trends change. Actively embracing technology now can prevent challenges with forced changes down the road and allow businesses to transition at their own pace. While new ideas and solutions can feel daunting, digital transformation ultimately makes running a business easier.

Does your business need help with digital transformation or other types of IT projects? Reach out to us via our contact form or give us a call at: +1 (800) 297-8293