Expresia
Unlocking the Power of Digital Transformation: Creating Meaningful Digital Journeys
For the last twenty years, companies of all types and sizes have been taking on the efforts of Digital Transformation. And while there aren’t two digital transformations that look exactly the same, there is a map that exists for making that digital journey meaningful for your business.
This is what we will be exploring today.
Last week, the Expresia Team participated in a LinkedIn Live Conversation titled: Empowered by Technology vs. Just a Website, and throughout the conversation, there were a variety of key points that came up that contribute to making a digital journey meaningful. While there are probably even MORE than what is shared below, we thought it would make sense to share some of them here.
1. Define What’s Meaningful to YOUR Business
One of the biggest errors companies make when it comes to digital transformation is assuming that all digital transformations look the same. The primary reason that this isn’t true is that every company has unique challenges, as well as a unique experience they are trying to bring to the market. Put those two things together, and you get the need for a custom digital transformation.
Even if you take what might SEEM like the same transformation - let’s say operationalizing a business with digital tools - there still isn’t ONE way to do that. Each business has a unique way they bring its product or service to market, and there will be a unique digital combination required to optimize YOUR workflows. Every business has its own way of bringing products or services to market, requiring a unique digital approach to optimize thie operations, for instance, take a look at how Expresia facilitated Digital Transformation in Education.
So, it makes sense that what we need to lead is what will be most meaningful to YOUR business. This means, we need to start by defining that.
2. Use Your Imagination to find Tailored Solutions
As Marc Charalambous, Expresia’s CEO, shared in the conversation, there used to be a lot more imagination at work in the development of solutions. When we didn’t have all the technological gadgets at our fingertips, we NEEDED to figure out how to make things easier. And now, it’s kind of like we assume all of the solutions have been created and we just need to go and find them in the market.
While that is partially true, what it means is that companies have STOPPED using their imagination when it comes to creating a solution that works for THEM, and trade away meaningful transformation for the “easy” button.
But it’s important to remember that an in-market solution wasn’t created for YOUR business. It was created for an amalgamated problem, partially for problems that you may have, but likely partially for problems you don’t have. This means, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to digital transformation. At least, if you want it to be meaningful.
3. Start with People
Many times when we talk about “digital”, we forget about the people using digital tools. Any digital transformation project WILL impact people at the end of the day, so it’s important to look at that in the design process; both internally and externally to create what we call people-centric digital transformation in Expresia.
When we’re looking at a digital transformation that impacts our sales or marketing funnels, we need to explore how that impacts the clients and how they interact with our business. Are we making it easier for them? Or only for ourselves? And if it’s more difficult for them, what’s that going to do to the funnel? -Find a resource to create a digital-firsts customer experiences journeys-.
Equally, digital transformation is often meant to positively impact our internal teams; making it easier for them to do their jobs. But so often new digital tools end up making it MORE difficult for people to do what they need to do, which has a negative impact on the acceptance of the change. And far too many companies are still implementing technologies that end up not being used to their full potential because of a lack of insight on this front.
4. Connect the Dots
At the end of the day, a digital transformation should have a POSITIVE impact on your business. Whether that’s in terms of revenue, cost savings, or profits, that depends on what’s meaningful to you. And that value doesn’t exist if the new piece of the puzzle isn’t connected to the rest of the pieces.
Too often, companies are still implementing “solutions” in silos. As Paula Amador, Expresia’s CPO, mentioned in the conversation, “A website isn’t just a marketing tool”. When we look at implementing digital solutions as a PATCH to a specific problem, we miss most of the potential of the change.
So let’s say you want to update your website (for whatever reason). Do you know how that impacts your other operations or departments? Because it DOES. And implementing a “solution” that doesn’t consider - at least for the future - is pretty short-sighted. More than that, it becomes a missed opportunity for crucial progress on your digital transformation, leading to what Paula said in the conversation, “a dead end”.
5. Don’t Wait for a Digital Heart Attack
Brendan Johnston, VP of Sales at Expresia, made this great point in the conversation about looking at digital transformation like you look at your health. Usually, we don’t get concerned about something until something BAD happens. In this example, a heart attack.
We don’t take the required steps to PREVENT a heart attack. But once we’ve experienced one, then it becomes an emergency to do something.
If you look at your digital experience this way, it might seem like there’s nothing “wrong” with your systems today. I would say, this is what MOST companies are experiencing at any given time. But then we have those moments when the system just doesn’t work and now we need an emergency fix. And it’s POSSIBLE to fix things in this way…but it doesn’t make for a healthy digital ecosystem.
The solution to this is to treat your digital efforts like your health; with an ongoing investment. And if we do that, then we might just be able to avoid those digital heart attacks and keep our system healthy while it continues to grow.
We'll keep it simple and show you how it can help you make more money, work more efficiently, make customers happier, grow your business, and make sure you keep getting better over time. To inspire you to take action now, so let's dive in and see how tech can take your business to the next level!
Benefits of Empower Your Business with Technology
Maximizing Business Impact
The ultimate goal of digital transformation is to drive tangible business outcomes. Whether it's increasing revenue, reducing costs, or enhancing customer satisfaction, technology should be leveraged to maximize its impact on the bottom line.
Optimizing Workflow Efficiency
Digital tools and solutions should streamline workflows and enhance operational efficiency. By automating repetitive tasks, eliminating bottlenecks, and improving collaboration, businesses can achieve higher productivity and faster time-to-market.
Enhancing Customer Experience
In today's digital age, customer experience is paramount. Digital transformation should prioritize initiatives that enhance the end-to-end customer journey, from initial engagement to post-sale support. By delivering personalized digital experiences and seamless interactions, businesses can foster customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
Driving Revenue Growth
Digital transformation presents unique opportunities for revenue growth. Whether it's through new revenue streams, cross-selling opportunities, or enhanced pricing strategies, technology can unlock new avenues for monetization and business expansion.
Ensuring Sustainable Digital Transformation
Sustainable digital transformation requires a strategic approach and long-term vision. By aligning technology initiatives with business objectives and fostering a culture of innovation, businesses can ensure that their digital transformation efforts yield sustainable results.
Take Action Now
By staying ahead of potential issues and embracing continuous improvement, businesses can adapt to changing market dynamics and maintain a competitive edge. If you’re ready to get into the conversation about how your company can empower itself with technology instead of just USING technology, make sure to connect with the Expresia team today!