Business Digital Transformation is a concept very much in use in the present scenario of rapidly changing times – especially over the years 2020 to 2022 – from the uprise of the COVID-19 to the Omicron situation of now. Social Distancing, Lockdowns, Stay Home Stay Safe and so on have brought into active usage major concepts like Work from Home or Remote Working, Remote Education, E-commerce, M-commerce, and more. The Internet is being used now more than ever, and Business Digital Transformation is becoming more of a basic requirement with every passing moment.

What is Business Digital Transformation

Business Digital Transformation is the transformation of business to meet the rising requirements, demands, and expectations of the digital age.

Business Digital Transformation is the process of modifying old or creating new

• Business processes
• Business culture
• Customer experiences

with the help of digital technologies in order to address the rapid changes that are taking place in the market requirements and the business scenario.

Business Digital Transformation is all about the way you engage with and think about your customers. As the process of business management shifts from paper, then spreadsheets, and then again to smart applications, digital technology can aid you in engaging with your customers better.

A 21st century business cannot be based on a foundation of ledgers that are handwritten, and stickies. For making a business sustainable, turbulent-times-proof, and future-friendly, Business Digital Transformation is a basic necessity in today’s times.

How to know when a Business Digital Transformation is required

One can go so far as to say that if a business is just starting out at this point of time, it can have a Digital First mindset right now at the outset instead of deciding upon an inevitable Digital Transformation in the very near future.

As for the ‘symptoms’ to know when a business requires a digital transformation as soon as possible –

• Prime promotion cannot generate the same kinds of Leads. Your tried and tested promotion campaigns seem to be losing their charm? The print campaigns are not measuring up to the effectivity they used to have once? Digital strategies of the last couple of years are not yielding the expected results either? It could be high time for a new approach to marketing, then.
• Referrals are not the same anymore. You might be missing out on a considerable number of referrals if your business lacks a digital presence that is both easy to share, as well as strong. The reason is that in present times, referrals are mostly shared through digital means – with the help of apps, social media, messaging, Email and so on.
• Dwindling Repeat Business. You believe your services / products are of impeccable quality, and yet you find your repeat business dwindling? Customers’ not returning to continue doing business with you might have very little to do with the quality of your products / services. It could just be that your competitors are making their presence felt more strongly, where and how the customers can notice it. You might need to look into the way you have been promoting your business, or carrying out your follow-up communication with your customers. Your messaging strategy can do with a digital transformation to help you determine why repeat business seems to be on the wane.
• Existent technology systems seem inadequate. Are your employees asking for an upgradation in the technology that is being used for your business currently? Do they expect features that consumer applications have been offering? After all, spreadsheets cannot be expected to be able to handle everything. The reason why there are modern, user-friendly business applications that serve certain specific purposes, and share data by integrating with each other, too.
• Collaboration is in need of improvement. Collaboration, information sharing, and data sharing are the current operative words in progressive business cultures. If you seem to notice cross-departmental complaints regarding lack of collaboration, information, or data sharing rising, it could be high time for a business digital transformation. Every digital foundation, at its core, has plans for keeping business data accessible so that it can be brought into optimum use by various departments.

There are several SMBs that operate on applications that do not communicate with each other. More informed business decision-making, however, can be possible with the analysis of data across the entire business. The technology infrastructure, therefore, needs to be revisited to facilitate data sharing and analysis. Business data needs to be kept accessible and centralised. A business, after all, cannot afford to lose touch with the expectations and requirements of customers.

What to expect from a Business Digital Transformation

You have to understand what your technology is capable of, and how your business and processes can be adapted for the maximum utilization of your technology investments. This knowledge is one of the key elements of business digital transformation.

A business digital transformation can add value to customer interactions. It means leveraging technology in ways that are disruptive, clever, effective. A la Netflix. From starting as a mail order service to disrupting the video-rental business that was brick and mortar, Netflix has shown the world how a business can forge ahead on the strength of data and technology.

Digital transformation could mean removing barriers between various departments at a workplace, having your social media presence to enfold marketing and service, held together by a digital platform that gathers customer information, routes queries to service agents, and creates journeys that are as personalised as possible.

How to start thinking about a Business Digital Transformation Strategy

You can begin by identifying your problem areas. For example, you can begin by deciding upon what the key to the survival of your business is, and what might be the things threatening a smooth running of your business. An internal assessment can help. You need

• Customers
• Sales
• Involvement of everyone in the company
• Key processes
• Systems

all these, and more, can be parts of the digital transformation of your business.

You need to include flexibility and nimbleness in your business digital transformation strategy, keeping in mind that your business is going to keep evolving with time – both in terms of revenue and strength.

How to avoid errors in the framework of business digital transformation

Collaboration is the key. Inform all your employees regarding the digital transformation as each one is likely to get affected by the same.

Do not invest in a set of technologies that can hardly integrate. If applications and platforms do not work with each other, the result can be more harmful than useful. The adoption of a scalable platform can ensure an easy flow of information and processes through your company.

Instead of scrapping everything for the commencement of a business digital transformation, you can have all the information collected in a space that is central. Connect your data, employees, and customers with the help of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence or AI, to gain insights into customer behaviour that you can utilize in various innovative ways.

After all, business digital transformation is all about harnessing new technology and tools to give your customers, employees, and business a better experience while evolving.

Want to discuss business digital transformation further?

You are welcome to get in touch with us at Ascentspark Software. We have sufficient experience with technology, tools, AI, apps, innovation, and customized software solutions to be able to answer your queries, clear your doubts, and even help you ahead.