Developing a Digital Strategy to Transform Your Business

Many organizations have embarked on the journey of digital transformation over the past several years. In fact, worldwide spending on digital transformation technologies (including hardware, software and services) hit $1.3 trillion in 2017, according to IDC. The tech research company expects spending to almost double between now and 2021, when the total amount spent on digitalization globally will presumably surpass $2.1 trillion.

However, we have reached a point where digital transformation efforts are running into roadblocks amid confusion and false impressions as to what it truly is. Most organizations implement conventional changes (such as using better tools and technology) to continually improve operations, efficiencies and productivity. Digital transformation is more than conventional change.

Digital transformation does not begin with technology. Instead, it is about reinventing your organization by focusing on your customers, culture, employees and business continuity. Essentially, you need to shift your focus from the inside-out to the outside-in.

There is a good chance that content management is playing a more central role within your organization, as it can help you command greater control of your data and intellectual property. Nevertheless, the process of transforming data into information and then into actionable insights and knowledge is multifaceted. Therefore, the challenge of digital transformation can only be met once organizations fully understand current business processes, anticipate future business needs and redefine content management strategy.

As you are creating your digital strategy, it is important to lay the foundation with a content management solution that organizes your unstructured content for use. Unstructured content contains critical information that core systems cannot capture, and yet are critical to day-to-day operations and processes. Introducing a content management solution is the fastest and easiest way to begin executing on your digital strategy. By transforming unstructured content, you are freeing it from silos so that it can flow where you need it to go for rapid decision-making. For many organizations, it is the 2019 budget-planning season. Now is the time to ensure your organization is securing the funding needed to support its digital transformation strategies.

I believe that to best succeed and ensure a smooth transition, digital leaders should come together and share the lessons they have learned, as well as take lessons from others. By pooling our knowledge, 2019 has the potential to be the best year yet for digital transformation. With that being said, I encourage you to share your insights in the comments section below.

 Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.