Smart Industry: Tips For Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is of paramount importance in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. It represents a fundamental shift in how organizations operate, engage with customers, and remain competitive in a digital-first world. One key reason for its importance is the ability to harness data and technology to optimize business processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Additionally, digital transformation empowers companies to deliver enhanced customer experiences, tailoring products and services to individual preferences, ultimately fostering customer loyalty and satisfaction.

However, embarking on the journey of digital transformation poses several challenges for organizations. One major hurdle is the significant financial investment required, encompassing the cost of acquiring new technologies, training employees, and restructuring existing processes. Additionally, the process often necessitates a cultural shift within the organization, with employees needing to adapt to new ways of working and embracing a digital-first mindset. Resistance to change, both from employees and leadership, can hinder progress and lead to implementation difficulties.

During a fireside chat at the Smart Industry Summit moderated by Ahmed Abdulwahab, CEO of Next Arabia, Ken Ogwang’, Head of Digital and Technology, Eastern and Southern Africa at Diageo, offered insights on navigating the complexities of digital transformation:

Executive buy-in: Secure commitment from top executives within the organization. Without their support and involvement, successful digital transformation becomes challenging. Ogwang says top leadership at Diageo played a critical role in starting the digital transformation journey at the alcoholic beverage company.

Effective communication: Organisations should ensure that employees understand the essence of digital transformation. It’s not merely about utilizing technology; it’s about a fundamental shift in the way business is conducted. Organisations ought to have open dialogues with key stakeholders, including suppliers to understand why the process is necessary and the value it will bring to them.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): It’s important to establish KPIs to track progress. Through KPIs, organizations can make informed decisions, optimize resources, and realize the full potential of their digital transformation efforts. Ways of measuring KPIs are reducing time-to-market, customer feedback, and in-app purchases etc. Ogwang says Diageo saw a surge in customers buying their products online during the Covid pandemic.

Ensuring seamless integration: Simplify integration by adopting unified systems. According to Ogwang’ this approach makes the integration of various technologies and processes smoother and more efficient. Ogwang’ says Diageo had to adopt standardized software to enable suppliers and retailers to integrate with the company’s systems.

Sustainability: Ogwang advised companies to embed sustainability into their digital transformation projects. These include considering the environmental impact and long-term sustainability of the technologies and processes that are implemented.

Digital transformation is no longer an option but a necessity for organizations looking to thrive in today’s digital-centric world. While it comes with challenges, the rewards in terms of efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitiveness are well worth the effort. By securing executive buy-in, fostering effective communication, prioritizing integration, and embracing sustainability, businesses can embark on a successful digital transformation journey.