Digital Transformation

Summary: "Don’t Let Digital Obsession Destroy Your Organization"*

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Organizations are slated to spend $6.8 trillion on digital transformation by 2023. While they are seeking to lower operational costs, accelerate speed to market, and unlock new opportunities, there is a 70% failure rate, which means companies cannot afford to rush in blindly and need to be realistic about their expectations. In this MIT Sloan Management Review article, Matthew Doan writes that digital transformation takes thoughtful design and change management, and to do it right, disciplines that consider the patient’s totality, including mind, body, and spirit are needed.

According to Transformant president Tony Saldanha, “Digital transformation is an ongoing journey, and you get there only by changing the DNA of the organization.” To start the digital transformation progress:

  1. Treat the business as a unified whole

    Take a systems-based view of the business to allow leaders the proper perspective on why, where, and how to infuse digital capability.

  2. Make your digital “aim” outcome-focused and human-centered

    Digital transformation is about creating new value for customers and yourself through the careful application of digital enhancements. Understand the critical human touchpoints along the journey to a specified outcome. Immerse yourself in the lives of affected individuals and craft your digital approach to fit their needs vs. implementing off-the-shelf solutions.

  3. Take an experimental, scale-later approach

    Take the discovery-driven approach to test and learn rapidly to avoid expensive investments. Adopt agile principles to learn what is and isn’t working and course-correct before scaling.

While the pandemic accelerated digital efforts for businesses, now is the time to take a step back and understand the organizational environment. Reframe digital transformation from a one-time endeavor to embedding it into your organization’s DNA.

Read more about taking the holistic approach to a successful digital transformation.



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