The COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound changes across society, as well as in the market – companies have also been extremely impacted. New work relations formed because of social distancing and the growth of home office; in the end it was necessary to reinvent yourself in order to continue operating efficiently. Consequently, the importance of Digital Transformation has become even bigger.
Whether to continue to offer a positive user experience or to motivate your team, it is through Digital Transformation that all these processes remained active during the pandemic. The trend will follow the same pattern after the crisis. There is no point in returning to the same processes as before; quite the opposite, it is necessary to understand what has changed and adapt the operation of your company in order to gain digital maturity.
But what does Digital Transformation really mean? How does it reflect in the companies? In what way investing in innovation can create a competitive differential to your company?
In order to answer all these questions and start the process in your organization, continue reading this article and find out everything about the subject!
What does Digital Transformation mean?
Digital Transformation represents the process of the modernization of companies and adaptation to the new scenario we are living in. It is the adoption of digital tools, innovative technologies, and cultural changes to improve or replace old processes and optimize the performance, and productivity of the company, generating more value to the customer. It does not mean to invest only in a digital presence, but also to modify the operation of the organization.
It is necessary to rethink the way your product and/or service is produced, which results in a structural change: modifying the way tasks are performed, the ways to do the job, and how to deliver a better customer experience. And it is important to understand how to do more with less or the same amount of resources.
From developing new applications to facilitate the user’s life to the implementation of tools that optimize home office, the options are diverse, regardless of the area of operation. For example, Bradesco Seguros modified its inspection process during the pandemic and obtained excellent results.
Digital transformation consists of a complex change that intends to modify not only processes, but also the culture of an organization. One example of this change is the concept of Customer Centricity, which places the customer in first place. This sets the company apart in a very competitive scenario.
Why did those who invested in Digital Transformation stand out during the pandemic?
The pandemic has impacted all companies. The difference is that some of them did not suffer as much as others. What is the reason for this? Digital Transformation was already being implemented in these companies. Can you imagine modifying the whole work structure overnight during a crisis. It is not that simple, right?
Therefore, companies that were ahead in the process had to make less aggressive adaptations in their work routines. There were professionals already used to certain tools, for example. This allowed the company to focus on finding strategic solutions instead of understanding how to adapt to the new scenario.
A team that adopted agile methodologies in its activities, for example, was able to adapt to the home office and decentralized management much faster than those who still used less advanced methodologies. This does not mean, however, that it is too late for your company to begin the Digital Transformation journey.
Is it possible to overcome the crisis by implementing technologies in my company?
The good news is that the answer to this question is yes. In a survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), 83% of the companies said that innovation and the process of implementing new technologies are the way to develop and survive in the post-pandemic scenario. 68% of these organizations have already changed their productive processes.
The implementation of new technologies does not necessarily mean betting on artificial intelligence or the Internet of Things (IoT). It can be a resource to facilitate contact with employees and make sure they are motivated and engaged in the objectives of the company. The most important thing is to understand what the main needs of your company are and act accordingly.
The CNI study also shows the areas that have undergone the innovation processes the most. Besides the relationship with the employees, other changes occurred in management, logistics, suppliers, and inventory control. That means, no matter what the segment is, there is a solution, method, or tool to innovate and overcome the crisis.
How can my company benefit from Digital Transformation?
In practice, what are the advantages of implementing technology and modifying processes in your company? Check out some of the benefits of adopting Digital Transformation!
Do more with less
The use of technology in the processes and work flows of your organization also represents greater savings – of time and resources. Instead of wasting hours on a given task, it can be automated with a tool, generating more positive results with less effort.
Gain in productivity
The use of innovative tools, solutions, and processes also guarantees a higher level of productivity across the company. Less time is wasted on bureaucratic tasks and is better used on more strategic solutions from the work of the teams. This is all done in an efficient and faster way.
Make more accurate decisions
By adopting Digital Transformation, the trend is that more assertive decisions are made by the leaders. The use of data, for example, becomes a reality, providing valuable insights to define the most adequate and productive paths to the company.
Improve the relationship with customers
Finally, the relationship with the customers is also improved, since everything is structured to deliver better quality products and/or services in less time and with more efficient processes. In a time when consumers are increasingly demanding, creating trusted relationships is important.
Ready to start?
Before implementing changes it is also important to understand the level of digital maturity of your company. After an internal review you should add the resources that help solve your needs and reach your goals.
Now that you know the role of Digital Transformation as a competitive edge in the pandemic, how about staying well informed about relevant topics to your company’s performance? Subscribe to our newsletter and receive content like this directly in your e-mail!