Digital Transformation after the Unprecedented times

What is simplest definition of Digital Transformation ?

I would like to simply define Digital Transformation in three dimensions as “An overhaul of systems and pillars of the corporation, institution or business entity to sharpen competitive edge and achieve resilience, by integrating and modernizing systems and technologies, establishing operational excellence by cultural shift, trainings and alignment of human resources, delivering superior value to customers, investors and communities by creating mesmerizing experiences for everyone inside and outside the organization”

In my opinion, Digital Transformation should evolve some of these systems and pillars

1. Technology Revamp and Cloud Enablement
2. Data Driven Innovation, Process Automation and Operational Excellence
3. Customer Experience Modernization
4. People driven Organizational DNA
5. Scalability for Growth, Profits and Social Responsibility

Digital Transformation started to seed around Y2K (year 2000), when the part of world was uncertain, on how systems would react with the clock change, and what consequences it would cause. Few years after Y2K, digital transformation ideas and concepts started to manifest, eventually as silo data-centers started to disappear and virtual foggy data centers appeared. Cloud became more evident, workable and acceptable. Sooner or later may be 2014 onwards adoption of Cloud started to accelerate. Data Science got deeper roots into the cloud, leading to importance of Machine Learning and Artificial intelligence, IOT and much more. Thanks to brilliant minds and human potential, that made all this possible, to solve problems and improve quality of life.

What are some of things, we all may have learnt collectively from COVID-19?

1. No matter, how much we invent and innovate, the quest for solving problems does not end
2. We can automate planet life, but mother nature and universe will always be stronger than collective human potential
3. Personal hygiene is much more important than ever, regardless of where you live or belong on this planet earth
4. Tolerance, Patience, Gratitude are very important virtues of life
5. People are open to change and to adapt new habits and discipline
6. There is a way to pause the whole world activities by graceful lock downs
7. It is important to reflect and do the personal introspective
8. Someone always has to work for others to consume – freedom, air, water, food, shelter, it is the equation of life
9. Collaboration can successfully happen, even if there is disagreements and oppositions

What will happen to digital transformation after COVID-19 ?

As the world gradually recovers from COVID-19, while safety will remain number one priority, unemployment will be on the radar too, businesses will try to recover the losses occurred and try to normalize. Operational costs usually don’t stop, these may go up and down from time to time. Whether it is executive pay, infrastructure costs, profit sharing, and perhaps existing payroll payout still need to happen. Hiring may start to first crawl and than run. In all countries, wherever Elections will take place in 2020, economic revival and employment would be on top of the list, and there will be push and pull between parties on how strategies get laid out and executed.

This is what I think, companies that had already started on Digital Transformation highway and were done more than 50% on their journey, would quickly invest, speedup to finish, to be resilient. The organizations that were less than 50% they may move at moderate pace, depending on strategic funding. The group organizations, that didn’t start, may not be able to start in 2020, as their first goal will be to be sustain and thrive.

Let’s not forget Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automated Devices have been on the radar in the new evolving landscape. Those will see hope and rise in health care industries. Even though health care businesses may be running out of funds, they will need to focus on such improvements, to be prepared for the next such unprecedented times.