CLOSE THE GAP ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR WORKPLACE

It’s hard to believe that the second half of 2019 is already here, and it’s understandable that you’re feeling a little frazzled after the hectic time that was EOFY. However, just because you’re closer to buying your Christmas gifts than you are doing another dreaded tax return, doesn't mean it’s time to relax.

Amongst terms such as ‘Chatbots’ and ‘Voice Automation’, one trend you probably heard being thrown around a lot this year was “Digital Transformation.” Yet now, it’s July, and you haven’t really ‘transformed’ anything, except clearing out a few files from your desktop.  

Digital Transformation was a key theme at the Microsoft 2019 EduTECH conference at the end of June, showing it still holds as much relevance now as it did when the year started. In fact, as the workplace progress towards digital, the rift between those engaging with digital transformation and those who are not becomes greater. There is significant disparity between ‘digitally focused firms’ vs ‘digitally active firms’ vs ‘The Others’.

While we’ve briefly touched upon Digital Transformation to enhance your customer’s experience, we want to delve into how you can integrate digital practices to benefit your business’ backend operations.

What is Digital Transformation?

More than just a somewhat existential concept, digital transformation refers to rethinking pen and paper business practices and capitalizing on digital technologies to complement your business model.

Rather than the stagnant state of files on a shared desktop, digital transformation gives you a place to integrate, collaborate and share, from customers to front-line workers, all the way up to executive level.

As a manager, it’s your responsibility to make sure your team are on top of the business activities, and this involves taking a forward-thinking approach to identify new ways to modernise the workplace that engages your team.

It’s at this point where implementing a ‘digital workplace’ becomes important. The digital workplace (sometimes referred to as the modern workplace) is a new phrase, but by no means a new concept. Major players such as Qantas, Shell and Rio Tinto are already onboard with this process.

The digital workplace is a component of digital transformation, aligning all your people and processes with technology, in a way that suits your unique business needs. The digital workplace is the virtual life partner to your physical workspace; supportive and dependable.

Digitising your processes improves every aspect of your business, from automating marketing to enhance your customer’s experience, to front-line staff having immediate access to all the documents they need, in one place.

How can you close the gap?

You probably already know the benefits of a digital workplace, but it is crossing the chasm between what you know and how to do it that many people come to us with questions about.

If this is you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Speakers at the Digital Workplace Experience Conference shared this sentiment of simply owning the toolkit versus knowing how to use the right tools. In fact, a majority of CFOs have identified that they have no clue how to properly integrate their new technologies.  

As the age-old adage professes, 'work smarter, not harder’, this particularly rings true of digital technologies. Instead of rushing out to implement every software and system known to you, begin with a few simple steps.  

Before you can dive deep into the ‘fun’ stuff (i.e. playing around with new tech), you need to consider your business goals and objectives, and establish your current state. Look at everything; your people, your technology, your current business processes. How are these helping (or hindering) what you want to achieve in your journey toward digital transformation? It is at this point that you may also look to your digital maturity. Do you have the capabilities and coordination to adapt to the digital environment?

This analysis can be done internally, communicating with other executives and employees to find the answers that you need. Or, if it seems too overwhelming and the resource isn't available, you could hire an external consultant to assist you through this process. An external consultant can help you determine where your opportunities lie. Instead of focusing solely in the present, consultants can help you draw out what you envisage your future state to be, Chatbots and all, and how you can work towards these goals.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with one of our digital specialists, you can contact us here.