Innovation and digital transformation are some terms that have been increasingly invoked in recent months. Therefore, it is now or never. After all, 2020 was the year of innovation for many companies. Innovate to survive...
However, it is not a natural process. The world of digitization and innovation is constantly changing and at breakneck speed. How do you enter that world? Is it worth the investment and risk?
Read on below as to why we are calling loud and clear: YES!
Why digitize?
The ultimate goal of digital transformation is to optimizing your business processes. So it fits nicely within the philosophy of lean management and Kaizen.
Because digital systems ensure that your information is always up-to-date and available everywhere. Furthermore, automation is possible, analyses become simpler, communication runs more smoothly... Investing in digitization of processes therefore has a number of very concrete (and often clearly measurable) benefits:
- Higher customer satisfaction
- Greater reach of existing and new customers
- Increased employee satisfaction and engagement
- More efficient collaboration across teams and departments through significantly shorter lead times
Why is this? Because digital systems ensure that your information is always up-to-date and available everywhere. Furthermore, automation is possible, analyses become easier, communication is smoother....
Success factors for good digitization
Good digitization depends heavily on a number of key success factors within your organization. They thus provide real leverage when launching a strategic digitization project.
Flexible organization
Flexibility within your organization often appears as one of the key drivers within these types of projects. After all, digital processes often provide a different way of thinking and acting.
Involvement of all
Furthermore, it is important that ideas (and decisions) do not just come from management, but that all employees can contribute to the digitization of the organization. In the ideal world, you will put together a design team consisting of representatives from the various teams and management layers within your organization The focus of this team is to identify opportunities and solutions around digitization. Naturally, management support is crucial. ...
Time
Know that digitization is a continuous process is, which takes time. So be prepared to take this process slowly and focus on every step of the way. Is something not going quite right? No problem, schedule time for regular feedback and adjustments as needed.
Last but not least: digitalization does not require heavy investment. After all, many companies offer scalable pricing and packages tailored to your business. Start small ... Dream big!
Tip: Like to quickly check if your company is ready for digitization? On the website of Vlaio you will find three digital scans to ascertain how digital-ready your business is.
How to get started: a roadmap
Before you begin your process of digitization, one insight is very important: business processes are not stand-alone items. All your processes form one integrated system. The technologies you implement should be at the core of that system as a flexible network. At 4 steps systematically walk you through the digital transformation of your organization.
Step 1 - analysis of the current situation
Start with all your mapping processes and determine how these are currently put together. Think about managing procedures and instructions, personnel data, projects, certificates, reports and analyses....
Are there already cases that are (partially) digitized? Bring overview of what is now done digitally and what technologies you use to do so, what is already done automatically and what is still done completely manually on paper.
After this, look at which processes you can digitize reasonably easily or, in other words, the quick wins that produce quick results.
Step 2 - Setting goals for the desired situation
Next, determine how you view digitization:
- What information and processes do you want to digitize?
- What should be possible in this process? For example, do you want to "only" digitize or also automate?
- Who is involved in digitization? Working digitally goes beyond your organization; so align your strategy with customers, suppliers and other parties.
Set from this your short- and long-term goals establish, and prioritize the digital steps to achieve your short-term goals.
Step 3 - the appropriate technology
Based on your processes from step 1 and your goals from step 2, you can now start looking for the best hardware and software Who can support you.
Should your employees, customers and suppliers be able to access data through their (Work) computer, laptop, tablet and/or smartphone? If frequent on-site work is required, a mobile APP, for example, adds great value. Consider conducting site tours or internal audits.
You choose the right software not just like that. Request demos and decide based on your needs, such as:
- How many options do you get? Just documentation, something more than that or really a total solution?
- Is it user-friendly for employees, customers and suppliers?
- What are the mobile applications?
- Is automated reporting and tracking supported?
- Is there good and prompt support?
- Does the software connect to your existing systems?
- How quickly can your digital system 100% be implemented?
Step 4 - implement & follow up
Implementing and monitoring your digital transformation takes time. Be sure to check with your software vendor to see if they can help you with that. Support through training or data transfer. Further, appoint a person (or team) to monitor the entire digitization process and establish a point of contact forms for all involved. This paves the way for efficient cooperation.
'Measuring = knowing! Set up a schedule to perform feedback so that you can continue to optimize and adjust. In addition to numerical data, it is also important here to involve the users and their user experience to question.
Now what?
Ready to enter the world of digitization and innovation? With our extensive expertise, we have already shown numerous organizations the way to their optimal digitalization. Contact us without obligation to discuss your digital transformation.