Digital transformation and why it will future-proof your business
It is without doubt that the advancement in mobile and real time technologies are changing the way users engage with brands. As an example, you only need to look at the stratospheric growth of Uber - the taxi company that is revolutionising transport across the globe for millions of customers - to see how mobile-first solutions are changing the way we live, work and play.
Uber’s timing and the quality of the offering gave them a great opportunity that allowed them to ultimately disrupt a whole billion-dollar industry. Crucially their solution was a digital-native business, so once they struck out to dominate the taxi ride business with a slick mobile product, almost everyone else around them was instantly playing catch up.
For more traditional businesses - think of your bank, a supermarket or a hotel chain -whilst they’re not necessarily playing catch up like Uber’s last century competitors, many naturally face a race to evolve in order to successfully satisfy their customers’ needs. This is digital transformation.
Those who do invest in digital transformation, through the better use of technology and the tweaking - or even re-writing - of their business plans to more effectively connect with customers throughout their journey, will prosper. Those who don’t will inevitably fall behind.
Digital transformation isn’t a magic wand but increasingly it is vital to the process of evolving and improving customer experiences in the connected age.
Grace Hopper famously said: “The most dangerous phrase in the English language is ‘we’ve always done it this way’”. At Leighton we believe in the power of this statement. Put simply, brands must continually question their decisions and assumptions, while consistently looking for new digital opportunities to make experiences and products better and their processes more efficient.
How many times have you interacted with technology and asked yourself “why doesn’t it just work?”
Think like a customer. Ask yourself what the pain points are with your product, process or service. Is your UX seamless? Does it work the way a customer would want it to?If not, why not? And perhaps more pertinently, if not, when will it?
We aren’t born innovative. People develop ideas based on their experiences. A customer or client or employee who’s never coded a day in their life might be able to tell you how your digital product fails to deliver just as well as one of your trusted development team.
Listen to every potentially valuable opinion possible. You’ll be pleased you did.
Very often change comes from people - employees, clients or customers - who are passionate about doing something in a better way tomorrow than they are doing it today.And often they don’t have to cost a fortune.
‘Fail and fail fast’ is a benchmark for innovation. Experimentation enables achievement and the people who have the courage of their convictions to try new things should be welcomed to the very core of your organisation.
The very word ‘transformation’ suggests a difficult process, and digital transformation can be just that. Systems, processes, methods and even goals may need to change.But those in need of digital transformation must start somewhere and those already on the journey must have the courage to complete it. Often the best way forward is to seek external help from experts who can guide you through your journey.
If your business launched today what would be different and what would your customers, ask for? The answers to these questions will form the basis for your business’ digital journey.
Digital transformation shouldn’t be seen as a choice. It should be considered as something your business must address, irrelevant of size. Equally, digital transformation isn’t a one-off project. Instead, it’s something that when integrated within your business strategies, can completely revolutionise your organisation, bring you to the forefront of your industry - and help you to stay there.
It is without doubt that the advancement in mobile and real time technologies are changing the way users engage with brands. As an example, you only need to look at the stratospheric growth of Uber - the taxi company that is revolutionising transport across the globe for millions of customers - to see how mobile-first solutions are changing the way we live, work and play.
Uber’s timing and the quality of the offering gave them a great opportunity that allowed them to ultimately disrupt a whole billion-dollar industry. Crucially their solution was a digital-native business, so once they struck out to dominate the taxi ride business with a slick mobile product, almost everyone else around them was instantly playing catch up.
For more traditional businesses - think of your bank, a supermarket or a hotel chain -whilst they’re not necessarily playing catch up like Uber’s last century competitors, many naturally face a race to evolve in order to successfully satisfy their customers’ needs. This is digital transformation.
Those who do invest in digital transformation, through the better use of technology and the tweaking - or even re-writing - of their business plans to more effectively connect with customers throughout their journey, will prosper. Those who don’t will inevitably fall behind.
Digital transformation isn’t a magic wand but increasingly it is vital to the process of evolving and improving customer experiences in the connected age.
Grace Hopper famously said: “The most dangerous phrase in the English language is ‘we’ve always done it this way’”. At Leighton we believe in the power of this statement. Put simply, brands must continually question their decisions and assumptions, while consistently looking for new digital opportunities to make experiences and products better and their processes more efficient.
How many times have you interacted with technology and asked yourself “why doesn’t it just work?”
Think like a customer. Ask yourself what the pain points are with your product, process or service. Is your UX seamless? Does it work the way a customer would want it to?If not, why not? And perhaps more pertinently, if not, when will it?
We aren’t born innovative. People develop ideas based on their experiences. A customer or client or employee who’s never coded a day in their life might be able to tell you how your digital product fails to deliver just as well as one of your trusted development team.
Listen to every potentially valuable opinion possible. You’ll be pleased you did.
Very often change comes from people - employees, clients or customers - who are passionate about doing something in a better way tomorrow than they are doing it today.And often they don’t have to cost a fortune.
‘Fail and fail fast’ is a benchmark for innovation. Experimentation enables achievement and the people who have the courage of their convictions to try new things should be welcomed to the very core of your organisation.
The very word ‘transformation’ suggests a difficult process, and digital transformation can be just that. Systems, processes, methods and even goals may need to change.But those in need of digital transformation must start somewhere and those already on the journey must have the courage to complete it. Often the best way forward is to seek external help from experts who can guide you through your journey.
If your business launched today what would be different and what would your customers, ask for? The answers to these questions will form the basis for your business’ digital journey.
Digital transformation shouldn’t be seen as a choice. It should be considered as something your business must address, irrelevant of size. Equally, digital transformation isn’t a one-off project. Instead, it’s something that when integrated within your business strategies, can completely revolutionise your organisation, bring you to the forefront of your industry - and help you to stay there.
