EXECUTIVE CORNER TECHNOLOGY | DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
HARNESS THE POWER OF FIVE There is no stopping for organisations undergoing digital transformation. Companies, however, need to focus on five key elements to reap benefit from it. BY VIMARSH BAJPAI
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t won’t be wrong to say that digital transformation saved the world during the pandemic by providing continuity and allowing businesses and governments to function during the lockdown. It kept organisations afloat and employees engaged during the pandemic. However, this rapid move to transform businesses gave insufficient time to technology and business leaders to put together a formidable strategy that can help navigate short- and longterm challenges. While there are many aspects that deserve considerable attention, let us focus on the
One of the biggest challenges in unlocking the full potential of digital transformation in some sectors is the limited availability, quality and usability of data.
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BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION ASIA
five key elements that have a significant bearing on how digital transformation will eventually pan out for any organisation.
employees to innovate, managing ambiguity by laying out a clear vision, prioritising tasks and effectively communicating hits and misses.
NEW AGE LEADERSHIP
THE TALENT POOL
The corporate landscape is being swept by digital transformation at an unprecedented pace. However, what differentiates the digital business environment from the traditional one is its leadership. New-age organisations need a vibrant culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. According to a recent report by McKinsey, “successful transformations start with the CEO and top leadership reimagining their business in a digital age. These are bold visions to generate transformative value—think new business models, entry into new markets, and monetisation of data-based assets.” Successful leaders invest time to understand the nuances and long-term impact of new technology. They are also inclined to communicate frequently with the workforce about the benefits of transformation that will reach customers and stakeholders within the organisation. Keeping employees ahead of the curve by conducting training sessions and aligning skill sets needed to drive this change is crucial for the success of any digital transformation initiative. A few common traits of digital leaders include delegating responsibilities, encouraging
Digital transformation is as much about talent as it is about technology. Before the pandemic, it was hard to visualise that organisation, whether big or small, will have to jump on to the digital bandwagon at such a rapid pace. However, buying technology is only half the battle won because without talent and skills, digital transformation will not pick up steam. The most important common barrier to digital transformation was missing skills. According to a survey by Capgemini, 77% of the companies cited skill challenges in a wide range of areas. Putting the right team together in domains such as technology, data, cybersecurity and process automation would be the single most important step for companies contemplating digital transformation. The war to hire and retain digital talent is already underway. To tide over the talent crunch, organisations need to engage in both short-term and long-term planning to ensure they have a sustainable workforce and talent strategy that can address current needs as well as those which arise in future. Several companies have decided to centralise new digital skills such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain in the shared unit. Training and
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