If you've heard of Digital Transformation, you've probably come across the topic alongside the statement that it's essential for companies that want to stay relevant. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this conclusion even more visible, with organizations that were already prepared for online business coming out ahead of those that were still operating 100% in person.
But what are the challenges for companies that want to be ready for change? This was the topic of the exclusive class for LIT students with Prof. Dr. André Nardy , COO of Saint Paul InCompany and Deputy General Director of Saint Paul Business School. The expert, who is also director of the Innovation & Disruptive Strategies program, a partnership between Saint Paul and Harvard Business School Online, brought important reflections on the topic.
"In Brazil, we have companies with digital experience, but not companies that were born digitally as market leaders," explains the professor, highlighting the importance of rapid positioning ghana whatsapp data by national companies. He highlights an analysis by McKinsey & Company , in which the country showed difficulties in capabilities such as data analysis, focus on value generation, understanding the customer journey, digital sales and technological models and platforms.
Below, check out some important reflections for the Digital Transformation process of companies:
Accelerate decision making
According to the professor, traditional organizations tend to plan in great detail before taking any action. This fits into the so-called 'waterfall' model, which is compared to the path of water in a waterfall. In a more dynamic world, this method means that many plans are out of date on the day of execution.
Companies that are adapted to change work in a way that they plan and then test, learning from mistakes and successes and then returning to planning . This 'lean' model fits into the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world we live in today, in which learning and uncertainty together generate cycles of more effective action plans.
Face the fear of change
According to the professor, Digital Transformation should be seen as a social change, and not as a technology project with a beginning, middle and end. A review of the company's culture is necessary - many today focus on processes, and not on the customer, for example - an essential point in organizations in the VUCA world.
" Managers are responsible for breaking down barriers. A culture based on fear cannot survive this process," he adds, also noting that the investment factor is important, but not as relevant as building a new strategic vision for the business.
Understand your role as a leader
Nardy concludes the conversation by talking about the changes needed in corporate leadership. "We need to be more open to working in a network, with partners who can help solve complex problems more quickly than we could do internally," he highlights.