Think for a moment how fast we’ve changed the way we work. As we closed out 2019, many of us couldn’t picture an environment where we’d move the office home. Now, that’s just how we do business.
And we’re not going back to the old world anytime soon. If ever. Tech giants like Twitter are shuttering their offices permanently, telling employees work-from-home is now the norm. Even if a company isn’t ready to pull the plug on commercial space forever, they’re extending come-back dates month after month.
Just a few months ago, Gartner released predictions that as early as 2021 - just a few short months away - CIOs will transition into the role of culture change officer, helping to bring digital transformation strategy to light within the company. They’ll partner with HR to make sure everything about the transition goes right.
They couldn't have been more right.
What is digital transformation?
A digital transformation is about changing the business landscape to get better results. It’s about analyzing all of the factors that exist in the world right now, to help you make good decisions about how to move forward.
While many people think digital transformation is about technology, that’s only half the battle. It’s about using what you have to maximize revenue, lower expenses, and be in compliance throughout the process.
The reason IT fails in a lot of cases isn’t because of the technology they use. Instead, it’s about the implementation process. And right now, implementation is the largest battle. We’ve been thrown into the fire and are trying to build walls around us, even as the flames continue to morph and change.
Why is digital transformation important?
Just last year in the International Data Corporation’s Worldwide Semi-Annual Digital Transformation Spending Guide, it forecasted from 2019-2023 to be a time of heavy expansion at just above 17 percent annual growth, $2.3 trillion by 2023.
In a survey about digital business, 46 percent of executives stated almost half of all sales would, in some way, be influenced by digital media by the end of 2020.
Little did they realize how far off they’d be. Of course, the numbers aren’t in yet. But all you have to do is look around you to know that digital isn’t sitting on the sidelines anymore. It’s now our way of life.
How do you move forward?
So where do we go from here? The best course of action is to realize this isn’t a CIO issue; digital transformation is company-wide. This is about everyone - top to bottom - asking questions and listening to the answers. Questions like:
- Does this make sense?
- Is this viable?
- Will this keep us safe?
- Is this the best practice?
Realize the answers can and should come from a variety of different places. Check your ego at the door, because rebuilding isn’t going to be about individualistic goals and attitudes anymore. It’s going to take a lot of heads thinking of solutions, and piecing back strategies that make sense across the world.
What’s your approach?
For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.
