By Fernando Berrocal

‍

"Digital transformation" is one of several phrases that are quickly gaining popularity in the global startup ecosystem. It has become somewhat of a buzzword in different businesses, as these types of organizations transition from antiquated analog systems and working practices to modern technologic techniques. Digital transformation is no longer simply a choice of revitalizing their firm for any sort of organization seeking a bright future; it is now a must for every firm as business technology advances more quickly than ever. In this blog post, we will go into general terms of how to accomplish digital transformation within an early-stage startup.

‍

‍

In general terms, technology can make any form of business more productive–and affordable to sustain. Additionally, it may enhance the effectiveness and collaboration of workgroups, and change how organizations operate for the better. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy that will work for everyone and their business goal.  It’s important to bear in mind that business transformation will appear different for every organization–depending on its implementation. There are, however, a few fundamental actions you may take to streamline the procedure, and improve your chances of success.

‍

First, you must completely comprehend what the digital transition will look like. It doesn't just mean that you should hurry and bring in all the latest technology available on the market. Before making any kind of change, you must first evaluate your business to identify any processes or infrastructure that may be enhanced or replaced. After that, decide whether the new technology available–such as more sophisticated business mobile smartphones, cutting-edge laptops, etc.– is the solution or if a few tweaks to the process may have the intended impact. 

‍

‍

Businesses frequently fail, since they don't clearly define what it is they are aiming to change. This leaves a possibility for error if their attempts at digital transformation are misdirected. One issue that might result from this is the inability to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) from the IT investment itself.

‍

• Obtain early staff buy-in:  If you want your digital transformation to be successful, this step is crucial. Despite this, since technology is given so much attention, the human element of a digital transition is frequently neglected. Employees frequently perceive the implementation of any new technology as merely another item they must learn. Therefore, merely introducing new technology without their input won't work unless they are aware of the reasoning behind it and, more significantly, what advantages it will have for them.

‍

• Spend money on the best technologies available: Even though this may seem pretty apparent, you would be surprised at how many firms do it wrong. You must match your requirement with the appropriate technology after you have determined what it is you need it for. Businesses frequently lose money when they invest without doing their business research and go with what's trendy or what sounds ideal. If you choose this strategy, you can end up with tools that don't perform what you need, forcing you to change your business to accommodate the technology, or you might overspend for cutting-edge equipment or software that offers capabilities that you don't want (or require).

‍

• Start by implementing the technology with a small team: Making a smaller team of tech promoters inside the business is one of the finest approaches to getting employee support for digital transformation. Giving some salespeople access to sales software may help them understand its advantages and potential for more commission. It doesn't take long before everyone wants the same advantages, and it can be applied to any team and any kind of technology. Select a small group of workers to introduce the technology, then train them. It will be simpler for you to win over the rest of the team after they've realized the advantages.

‍

‍

• Plan a deployment roadmap and allocate resources towards training:  Purchasing business technology is just the first step to make. Once you have that, you must plan how to implement the software or hardware in your operations. From the first launch through business-wide implementation, monitoring the initial success, and any ongoing enhancements you'll need to make, your strategy should cover the whole roll-out from beginning to end.

‍

Then, the main cause of projects failing during digital transformation is a failure to invest in training. A business cannot simply assume that its staff will figure out new technology on their own just because it has invested in it. When investing in new technology, be sure to designate time and money for training your staff on how to operate the equipment. By doing this, you can make sure that your staff is fully trained in the usage of the technology rather than learning it separately. Investing in training may also help employees utilize technology consistently and uniformly, avoiding the issue of utilizing it in a way that only works for them.

‍

• Always evaluate your success: Finally, it's critical to realize that digital transformation doesn't stop when technology is implemented in your business and that your employees know how to use it. You must continuously assess its business effectiveness to see if it is having the desired effect and how to keep improving it. To ensure you're getting the most out of any technology you invest in, you'll need to continuously review the situation and make any appropriate adjustments.

‍

If you take the time to conduct your research and select the appropriate technology, a successful digital transformation process may result in long-term success for your business. But for it to be successful, there must be some definite, direct, and strong planning and assessment alongside your startup team. It's crucial that you take the time to do it right since failing with your digital transformation might leave you with a problem far worse than the one you were attempting to address. Your organization will greatly benefit from the results.

‍

Ready to bring your startup to the next level? Apply to MassLight’s next batch. MassLight supplies capital and a dedicated tech team. We take equity in return. Have questions? Refer to our FAQ page.