Avoiding The Digital Titanic

Avoiding the digital Titanic

Digital transformation is here and companies must adapt to survive in the API economy.

Here are 5 key elements

1. Define and understand your current digital infrastructure

Do not eliminate your current infrastructure to experiment and adopt new tools. Deliver what your customer needs today and predict what they may need in the future.  New tools often require deep technical knowledge and focus from employees. Maintaining the “status quo” with minimal interruptions to the business will in turn increase productivity and produce results to scale to other areas of the business.

2. Political environment and dated business models

Reduce internal politics, keep the decision making processes small. i.e. critical stakeholders like project sponsor, strategy and execution leads. Digital requires an adoption of agile methodology and principles through the promotion of speed. Small teams promote agility which becomes the antidote for bureaucracy.

3. Work bench tools

Invest and adopt tools that are simple to execute and with the ability to expand. Even complex integration can use simple strategy.

4. Talent management

Hire people with the right skills to deliver upon your company's strategy. Invest in training and give responsibilities with authority. Build an environment where creativity trumps the fear to fail.  Fail fast and get up faster. This is truly empowering the employee and instilling a simple mantra: "Train, guide and encourage. Train, guide and encourage".

5. Promote positivity

Digital is the land of the unknown, embrace positivity and enjoy being uncomfortable. The introduction of new things is always a challenge especially when employees are stuck in their old ways and are resistant to change. It is very common for employee to fear new operating models and usage of new tools. Avoid this negativity and behavior by allowing them to see their potential in their career and overall growth.