As more companies leverage the power of technology to build better businesses, the question is no longer “if” they will undergo a digital transformation, but rather “how fast.” From cloud-based infrastructures to big data analytics to dynamic new IT management principles and digital selling techniques that reach customers effortlessly on social media, there are plenty of exciting tools and methodologies that are driving an explosive growth in the digital revolution.
So what are the building blocks that make digital transformation such a compelling value proposition?
1. Big Data
Big data is a big driver of digital transformation. It’s estimated to be a $200 billion market by 2020, with 62.5 percent of surveyed companies now having at least one big data project in production. But what’s most striking is how big data touches more and more parts of the business. It’s now used to track inventory needs based on social media chatter or weather patterns; help HR find candidates that are most compatible with the existing workforce, and by software developers to tap into customer preferences to build customized products.
2. The Cloud
Cloud infrastructures are no longer the technologies of digital pioneers. Now companies from all walks of life are embracing the benefits of the cloud in record numbers. A Forrester survey reported that 38 percent of technology decision-makers said they are building private clouds, with 32 percent leveraging public clouds and 59 percent adopting some type of hybrid model. The cloud helps companies build and deploy apps, manage customer-facing operations and streamline IT processes—and does it cost-effectively and securely.
3. Digital Selling
It should come as no surprise that sales organizations have embraced digital transformation as much as any other department. More than two-thirds of a consumer’s journey to research and purchase a product or service these days is now done digitally, and when sales teams use social media to engage their prospects, they more than triple their chances of meeting a decision-maker to close the deal.
4. Remote Workforce
One indicator that companies are digitally transforming is the number of employees who work from a remote location. A Gallup survey revealed that 43 percent of employed Americans spend at least some time working remotely, and 31 percent now do it at least 80 percent of the time. Those workers are also more satisfied with their jobs and 50 percent less likely to quit. Those are telling statistics that prove that companies trust the speed, convenience, and security of remote access technologies. Imagine a 31 percent savings in office space cost and resources for these digitally-driven enterprises.
5. Customer Experience
Digital transformation isn’t just about internal operations. It’s also vital for engaging customers in a more satisfying way. In a survey by Nuance Enterprises, 67 percent of respondents said they preferred self-service over speaking with a company representative. Digital enterprises are making it easier for customers to find what they want through web tools and social media, improving the customer experience and building a more reliable mechanism to stay connected with customer needs.
Prepare Your Team
Efficiency and improved customer experience are the drivers behind the digital transformation. There is ample opportunity to build employee skillsets to make this transformation a reality, including employee training in IT Service and Architecture, AWS Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing, and Digital Selling.
Preparing for Digital Transformation? Learn more about how the Simplilearn's Digital Transformation Course can help your organization transform and succeed.