The digital way of doing business has come to stay and businesses need to adopt this to stay competitive. This is even more critical for small businesses that want to compete favorably and scale in this challenging and demanding business environment.
For some years now, digital transformation has been on the rise with more companies integrating digital technologies into daily operations. The numbers skyrocketed during the Covid-19 outbreak when lockdowns required us to stay home. Several organizations and companies were forced to roll out digital mechanisms to remain in business. While advertising, sales, marketing, and transactions were done using digital platforms, some employees also worked from home using digital tools. This helped greatly and despite the devastating nature of the pandemic, some businesses posted profits.
With that being said, you can’t roll out digital transformation in your business without adequate preparation. Here are five ways to prepare your small business for digital transformation.
5 Things To Consider Before Introducing Digital Transformation
1. Implementation
Implementing digital transformation should be a process and not an event. Rushing to integrate electronic systems throughout your operations all at once, can have negative consequences. So, you need to consider your business model and implement the transformational measures that suit it. Things to consider include:
• Aspects of the business that need digital transformation
• How will the introduction bring about the required reforms and transformation?
• The expertise of your current employees
• Will you need a new workforce to operate the new system or train told ones?
• What impact will it have on your customers and potential ones?
• Will it make your business competitive and ensure growth?
• Your budget
Implementing digital transformation for the first can be very challenging and may meet some resistance. Therefore, you need to prepare all stakeholders adequately for the new changes. Here is how to prepare.
2. Have An Objective
Yes, digital transformation is a necessity in this modern business environment. However, small business owners should have an objective for this transformation. Note that your transformation agenda may differ from that of other companies, although you may the same operational methods. The objectives should reflect your company’s size and needs.
Do you need something to improve efficiency and production or a solution to better your customer relations? It could also be that all aspects of your business need some form of digital integration. Once you define your objective, you will be certain of the digital path and solutions that align with your goals. This will prevent trial and error and also minimize the negative effects of implementation.
3. Prepare The Minds Of Stakeholders
Everyone should be aware of the coming changes, from top management and workers to your customers. This will prevent any major resistance when implementing digital reforms. Sometimes, digital transformation may necessitate some job cuts. If such will happen, prepare the minds of your employees, especially those to be affected. Let them know the situation at hand and the need for such a radical move.
Those that wouldn’t be affected should be made to feel positive and confident about the new system and software. Make them understand that it will improve work efficiency and make them thrive.
4. Research For Tools That Fit Your Operations
The only way your business can benefit from digital transformation is to choose the tech tools. You should only invest in systems and software that maximize your operations. You may need a business and software consultant to help you in this pursuit. Firms like Admiral Consulting Group provide small and midsize businesses with Microsoft Software Consulting Services and solutions to help them grow. Such companies provide services like software consulting and implementation, management consulting, custom development, help desk support, and cloud hosting, among others, which can benefit your company’s digital transformation agenda.
You can also do this on your own with enough research and talking to other industry players. Just ensure that whatever tool you choose will provide efficiency and enhance productivity. Tools and software that help your business move online or to cloud computing will be a smart investment in your company's future.
5. Train Your Employees
You need to train your employees on how to use the new system. The level of training needed depends on their current skills. If you have been using a manual system since the inception of your company, then you need to have intensive training for workers who will operate the new systems and software. You need to hire a competent, experienced, and trusted firm for the task.
Sometimes, you may have to hire highly trained and experienced tech professionals to run the new system. If that sounds too much of an investment, you can delegate these tasks to remote workers.
Digital Transformation Done Right
Small businesses that integrate digital transformation into their operations improve efficiency and productivity which translate into sales and profit increment, and growth. However, do this cautiously and in phases. Have an objective, do the right consultations, know your business needs and the tools required, and train your employees. Doing these will set the right footing for your digital transformation agenda.
