The concept of digital transformation has become a recurring topic in the corporate world, but, do you know what it really means? Specifically speaking, it’s about adopting technology to improve processes, optimize resources and obtain better results. However, digital transformation has a direct impact on organizational culture and the entire structure of production; therefore, the process must be planned and its impact must be understood.

In a business environment that has embraced technology as much as today’s, companies need to adapt to the market’s needs and get the most out of every available tool if they want to remain operational. Considering this scenario, digital transformation is no longer simply an option, it’s an obligation if you want to obtain better results.

When digital transformation is performed following a plan, multiple benefits can be obtained. In fact, companies in the region that begun this process correctly increased their productivity by 36%, enhanced their digital presence by 32%, experienced a drop in costs of approximately 30% and 27% of them improved their marketing and sales strategies. In addition, it is worth noting that 29 of these companies managed to break into new markets.

Organizational culture: the cornerstone of digital transformation

It is important for companies to understand that digital transformation goes beyond the acquisition of software or machinery: it is a process that involves the entire organizational structure, from executives to workers. In other words, it’s a change of mentality that the whole company must be willing to embrace.

Due to all of the above, asking yourself these three key questions is a good starting point:

• Why transform?
• What needs to be transformed?
• How should this process be carried out?

The answer to why is obvious: in a market as competitive as today’s, technology enables the optimization of resources and helps you improve processes, making companies more productive.

Every part of the company has to view this process as a deep transformation, a process that begins with the way daily tasks are perceived and managed. This is achieved by doing the following:

• Training sessions for workers.
• Analyzing current processes to identify the ones that could benefit the most from digital transformation.
• Planning the implementation stages.
• Adapting infrastructure.
• Measuring results periodically.

Leaders have to make sure they empower their teams, make them feel like an important part of the company and assign clear responsibilities. This makes every worker feel committed to the company and leads them to give their very best.

Remember: people are the company’s most important asset, and as such, they are the foundation of any process of change. Leaders have to be capable of listening to concerns, clearing up doubts and keeping fear in check, thus giving each asset the chance to properly adapt to this new mentality.

Because that’s exactly what digital transformation is: a new mentality.

In order to achieve digital transformation, how should talent be managed?

Tools such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Talent are ideal more managing talent, allowing you to attract and retain the people that are essential to reaching the organization’s objectives. Thanks to this software, talent management can be performed in detail, for the key lies in automating processes.

By implementing these types of solutions, you will be prepared to face a digital transformation process that has a positive impact on the company’s organizational culture, avoiding situations like the Heinz culture crisis, which, in the long run, led to the downfall of the company.