The global adaptation of digital transformation beyond COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus is not the end and instead is simply the beginning of a new normal!

COVID-19, the new strain of Coronavirus has caused severe damage and global unrest. The destruction caused by this new virus cannot be underestimated. It is a humanitarian crisis, but amid the struggle, there are still many opportunities for people to come together, help each other and rebuild, adapt, and continue to grow.

This pandemic has impacted nations globally, resulting in social, medical and economic challenges. The uncertain and unpredictable nature of COVID-19 has left governments and organizations feeling unprepared for the near term and uncertain about the future. To minimize devastation, businesses must show resilience and adapt to the new environment created by such a drastic transition. Many companies have already identified areas within the workplace which need significant attention to adjust to the new external climate. Although businesses wish to enact an immediate plan and stay focused on profitable operations, a long-term sustainable solution provides lasting operational effectiveness.

There is a global economic slowdown due to the Coronavirus outbreak Now, more than ever, companies will benefit from investing in their customers. In China and elsewhere, customers have shifted dramatically to online shopping, highlighting for businesses the importance of a strong e-commerce strategy and an enhanced understanding of the digital environment.

The more attention businesses give to their customers, the better they can track and predict their behavioral responses to the new changes. How have their shopping habits been affected? Will customers shop more online? How can a business help customers during this unprecedented time? It is companies who adapt to the evolving environment that will prosper in the short and medium term. By understanding the changes in consumer demand, strategies can be adapted which serve customers and identify new ways to grow, which otherwise may not have been explored.

Everyday living has changed drastically in recent months. There has been a major societal shift for businesses, families and communities. Schools are closed, non-essential businesses are shuttered and the travel and tourism channel has been decimated. Additionally, those businesses which are allowed to remain open have been forced to adapt to alternative working arrangements by devising new selling and fulfillment methods which help employees and customers conduct business. This is the time for companies to assess the practical reality of alternative working arrangements from home, the challenges that may be faced, and the opportunities to push boundaries and make meaningful advances within the areas of technology and communication. Could it be working from home will improve businesses in the long run? Although it would have been more ideal for such opportunities to arise as a result of a more positive effort, not a global pandemic, the chance for businesses to evolve for the better, cannot be denied.

With more time spent at home, businesses must learn to support their employees by boosting morale and identifying the advantages of remote working thereby overcoming any fears or potential barriers for team members. Internal operational issues surrounding productivity and opportunity can be carefully assessed and new strategies which may remain in effect after the pandemic has past can be developed and implemented. Since it is not clear when the COVID-19 problems will end, a great opportunity to create lasting and effective organizational strategies exists.

Certain companies possess an existing culture which is reflective of virtual or remote operations. These organizations can serve as a resource for companies to better understand how to respond to new demands created by the Coronavirus. Certain businesses including those which offer online shopping, tele-meetings, entertainment apps and online learning are likely to benefit from the current environment. As a result, we may see an increase in the success of companies in the  streaming services, online education, online shopping and delivery channels. These businesses will be who we turn to for inspiration during this crisis and in the ensuing months and years.

Many companies already place great emphasis on connecting users globally in a manner which generates satisfactory user experiences. In light of the recent outbreak, it is far more important for others to adopt video conferencing tools such as Cisco Webex, Zoom and Microsoft Team. By simply connecting people to each other and helping create a more coherent working and social environment, these and many others offer a variety of integrated benefits. It can be expected these companies have significantly benefited from the virus outbreak, including mandated stay at home orders and others may seek to mirror their success.

The retail market has been woefully prepared for the digital future and has been slow to adapt to changes in customer behavioral habits. Many retail companies are not currently keeping with evolving consumer expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how vital an online presence is for businesses to remain relevant and profitable thereby avoiding extinction.

This outbreak draws attention to those companies who have previously ignored changing consumer behavior primarily through a failure to respond to the digital transformation. Reacting to digital demands can help drive fundamental changes within an organization Integration of technology which has the adaptability to evolve alongside digital advancements, as well as societal changes, will help businesses to maintain their competitive advantage. Those who have strong technological infrastructure in place, will be able to better deal with current external pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, digital transformation is far beyond simply deploying applications. Integrating with organizations who possess a more advanced culture and dependence on technology should prove beneficial.  Often, one of the best solutions is via an acquisition of an organization in the desired or requisite technology market enabling a fast entry through known and established efforts.

Digital Transformation approaches are significant for businesses to ensure customers receive great support and service. A variety of sources can be of assistance including cloud systems, IoT, Mobile and more other technologies. It is crucial many elements are available which help contribute to the optimal performance of a company.

Digital transformation also enables key changes for a business. Interactions are implemented in software and are flexibly designed to evolve with consumer preferences thereby maintaining a strong competitive advantage. An efficient cloud-based infrastructure can provide a space for all aspects of the supply chain to be connected in the cloud. Real-time data analytics and big data monitor notifications optimize system performance to respond efficiently and effectively to change.

Notably, the market for online learning and educational technology faces many opportunities and some prominent challenges. Suddenly, millions of students globally are studying online. While this may be beneficial for the online learning channel, it was arguably a definitive shift for which the educational sector was not prepared. Instead, the pandemic has forced educational institutions to experiment with digital learning. Although the education sector was one of the last to respond seriously to digital transformation, this crisis may encourage the implementation of long-term online learning tools for the future.

Evidently, these times have been and will continue to be difficult for many. Although this global tragedy cannot fully be explained, we may find a few positive outcomes exist and a few lessons learned. Perhaps, many of us will discover we were overdue for a technological upgrade and many aspects of technology are more suitable and adaptable to the ideal daily life. Perhaps, COVID-19 simply expedited the transition of a global digital transformation. There may be something positive taken from this Coronavirus pandemic after all. “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” (Sun-Tzu).