Defining Digital Transformation

Digital transformation has a been a big buzzword for many years – but what does it mean for companies today? Since the start of my career, ?‘Digital Transformation’ might be the term I’ve heard the most. Healthcare, Finance, EHS … nearly all industries are doing it, (or, at least, think they are). But they certainly don’t all see it the same way.

Technically speaking, digital transformation means 'the adoption of digital technology by an organisation'. But when it comes to tangible examples, there are many different interpretations. I’ve seen the concept implemented in multiple ways. Some approaches fundamental, others with more funds backing them, and still others that are more about moving forward at a business’s own pace.

Different digital transformations, from sector to sector

First, I worked with a Healthcare company who had hired someone fulltime to scan all their documents and upload them in their AS400 system. A digital transformation project manager. And, though that might be unlike how many see digital transformation today, based on the definition above, that job title is quite accurate.

Next up: the finance sector. I can tell you, most?financial companies are way more mature in their digital transformation than companies in many other sectors. And, not unimportant: they have?the budget.

As an example, at my previous company, Movify we developed and designed digital applications for almost all the major banks in Belgium. We could implement chatbots, NFC Payments, third-party integrations and Face-ID (and about 20 more buzzwords ??).

Of course, this wasn’t the case for everyone in the financial industry. Back then, you had the ‘mammoth bankers,’ as we called them, that dug in their heels when it came to digital transformation.

I remember a manager of a big bank sarcastically describing his team as ‘we put the ‘NO’ in ‘innovation’. Not what I’d call a solid strategy for future growth.

?Progress in EHS, a pleasant surprise

On my first day in EHS - believe it or not - I was told: The environmental, health and safety sector is undergoing a digital transformation! While I wasn’t surprised to hear it at the time, the reality behind that statement turned out to be much more than I’d expected.

I’d already heard some stories about this sector, and so I was preparing for it to be a return to more people scanning documents into AS400 – this time legal registers or reporting work accidents. But honestly, the real-world examples I’ve seen since are quite cool!

?Like the wearables (Smart-Helmets) of Guardhat that improve workers’ safety with features like fall, man-down, and proximity detection. Integrated, cloud-based software solutions like Quentic bringing together all EHS and ESG stakeholders in 1 system. AI-powered EHS content by none other than Enhesa. Or the e-learning platforms of Jincom, providing health and safety training in an interactive and efficient way. All these examples are exciting proof that EHS is moving forward in the digital arena – fast. But, I can’t help but think that we could do even more to advance our industry.

?Transforming, step by step

?In EHS, the need for digitalization is there, and the tools are there … but, as in any other sector, there’s still hesitancy among some. In the regulatory compliance realm, it’s often a concern for those in EHS roles, and especially those who have been it in for a while. It comes down to the mindset of:

“We have always done it this way.”

"I'm used to it."

“Why change?”

Well. Why not? Even if a process isn’t broken, it still doesn’t mean that it’s the best that it can be.

The good news is that your digital transformation doesn’t have to be an overhaul of EHS compliance management as you know it. No one is expecting you to buy a smart helmet right away. Or to throw away your ?phone or pen and paper. Just to take one step at a time. And if I can give you a little tip – the best first step is automated compliance reporting. It’s one of the easiest to implement and where you’ll see immediate results on your ROI.?

Manual data collection and reporting processes is basically recipe for disaster. I’ve seen it. If this is still something your company is doing, please contact me. I’ll show you how Enhesa can help you prevent that disaster. One step at a time. ??