We’re huge fans of digital transformation here at Sapere, and it forms a major part of what we do as software solution providers.
Done right, it can help you to re-imagine your business, using technology to open up opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
However, before you jump in feet first, there are a few things for you to consider.
So, is your business ready for a digital transformation?
Understanding your need
Your first step is to realise that you need to be transformed. For established businesses, this often comes when they start to get frustrated with their existing processes, and it starts to affect their bottom line. Maybe they’ve noticed that things are taking longer and the amount of value they’re getting out of a job is falling, as there are more steps in the way, more manual jobs to be done and more duplication of effort.
For start-ups, they’ll often learn from what they’ve seen other businesses go through, and not want to make the same mistakes. Start-ups often look to implement digital solutions from the beginning, learning about best practice in their industry, and not setting out on a path that’s going to give them challenges.
Understanding what you’ve got
Next, you need to understand what you currently have in terms of systems and set-up from a digital point of view.
Once you understand what your systems are, you can learn what the challenges are; what systems are duplicating each other, which ones aren’t talking to each other and what could you use to bridge some of those gaps.
At this point, you also need to look at which part of the business you’re trying to digitalise; it could be the sales side or the CRM (customer relationship management) side, including onboarding new clients and managing leads, through to the conversion of them.
Or maybe you need it on the operations side; how do you facilitate your service or product-based work, is there a system in place?
Maybe it could work on the HR side, with challenges around onboarding people from an employee perspective, or even help with your finances.
It’s really important to take a good look at your existing systems and decide exactly where and how digitalisation will help your business before you make a start.
Next steps
Once you know where you need to digitally transform, get in touch with the likes of us. Because, while funding is available for these types of projects, I’d always recommend speaking to a digital expert before applying for any cash, because while you might know what you want, it may not be what you need.
Just because you need a digital solution, you don’t necessarily need an expensive bespoke one; there may well be an industry-specific service that you don’t know about.
Spending a bit of time with people like us can signpost you to both the solutions that are already available and to see which direction to go in.
Only once you’ve got that in place should you approach funding bodies, because they’ll need to know what you’re building and the likely costs before they’ll even consider it.
Team effort
One of the most important tips we’d offer to anyone considering some form of digital transformation is to involve your team right from the start and make sure they’re open to change.
While any transformation must be led from the front, it’s also imperative that your team is on board with the transformation, and pushing in the same direction, otherwise you’ll be met with resistance and it’ll be a waste of time, money and effort.
Have conversations with your team on the front line to find out what problems they’re facing and how they can be more efficient – after all, they’re the ones who’ll be using the systems. Everyone has a voice, and it should be heard in a process like this.
Also, don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take from your side, even before any system is implemented. There needs to be almost as much time put in from your point of view to make sure that the solution you’ve got is right, and you’ve got the time to train and to envelop yourself in the solution.
Get in touch
If you’d like to talk more about the potential for digital transformation, then we offer a free hour-long consultation to get to know you and understand what you’re trying to do.
For more information, get in touch here and we’ll see how you can transform.