Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, chatbots, the blockchain, data analysis, big data, social networks, remote access, mobility, the Internet of Things, and applications in the cloud. What do all of these words share? All of them are a big step forward in how companies can change their processes to create a digital culture that makes them more productive and gets better results.

What does "digital transformation" mean?

The idea behind digital transformation is to use technology to turn analog and offline processes into digital ones to improve performance, reach more people, and get better results. 

If you think your company can't change because it makes little money or isn't very big, you are wrong! Small businesses and startups have started and caused a significant change in markets dominated by giants, often with small teams and budgets.

Only tech companies can go through digital transformation

You're mistaken if you think you can only keep up with the technological advances of digital transformation if your business is a tech startup. You couldn't think of any markets or niches that the revolution would hit. Need a good example? Have you considered using an application to collect information, get rid of pests, or look at whether factors like rainfall, temperature, and soil erosion?

One of the best things about digital transformation is that many tools can help any business, tech or not, create a digital culture.

Why Should You Follow the Digital Transformation?

If you think that digital transformation is a fad and that you don't need to worry about it right now, we have some data that will show how important it is for your company's success to implement this idea.

According to the research, the US GDP is expected to reach $7.3 trillion in 2025. About $ 360 billion is expected to move through the mobile ecosystem during that time. The region is expected to have 2.5 billion connected devices (smartphones and other devices) by 2025. Mobile connectivity, big data, and the Internet of Things will be the primary ways these devices will be connected (IoT).

Offline to online

When you implement digital transformation in your business, you move processes that were once done offline to the web. You'll need to take three steps to do this:

Digitization

The first step is to switch from paper documents to digital media. In other words, it means turning paper documents, bills, photos, and information into a digital version. A group of paper bills turned into electronic invoices is an example of digitization.

Scanning

By scanning, digital processes are set up. Now that your company's data has been turned into digital files, it's time to use digital tools to run your business. Once you have scanned your invoices, you can link them to your payment software so that the task is done automatically when you make a sale.

Changes in digital technology

The digital transformation itself is the last step. It is just a combination of the first two. Digital transformation happens when your company moves information and sets up digital processes.

Key Elements of Digital Change

Now that you've seen how digital transformation can happen in any company, it's time to learn about the pillars that guide the process. There are three main things you should pay attention to:

Customer-Centered

We live in a time when the customer is the most important thing. He has the power to decide and is the one who decides when to buy something and what brand to buy. So, one of the pillars of digital transformation includes many things, such as:

Audience analysis

With analysis tools, you can collect data by dividing the visitors into groups based on their behavior and needs.

Precision marketing

If you focus on keeping the customers you already have, you can make offers that meet their needs and expectations.

Simplify the sales process.

More and more customers want to buy things with less trouble. Its main goal should be to get rid of the obstacles in the way of this path;

Customer service

Quick, good service that meets the customer's needs as quickly as possible;

Operational Processes

Another essential part of digital transformation is ensuring that your company's operational processes are as efficient as possible. So, your company should put money into the following:

Internal communication

The better and faster your company runs, the faster and more precise your team can talk;

Tuning in different areas

Improve how your company's various teams work together and work together as a whole to avoid friction and noise in your company's communication;

Being Transparent

Knowing what happens and why it happens makes it easier to understand what's going on;

Business Models

Digital transformation changes the way many companies do business. As more barriers are broken down, new opportunities open up for companies like:

Expanding the variety of products and services

By using digital resources in the day-to-day operations of a company, it is possible to make a product or service more useful or add new products to the company's portfolio.

Change from the real to the virtual.

It is common for brick-and-mortar stores to turn into online stores that serve a more comprehensive range of customers;

Digital from birth.

SaaS, PaaS, apps, and Cloud hosting companies are all examples of companies with digital products from the start.

Internet of Things (IoT) 

Connectivity between gadgets is the ability for multiple devices to talk to each other. Imagine if all your gadgets, like smartphones, tablets, cars, machines, computers, engines, and many other wearables, were connected and shared information to make things easier and automate processes.

Using the cloud

Access files and documents from anywhere and on any device, and share them. With the help of the cloud, your company is no longer limited by where it is located. It can now be anywhere, and everyone can work together to complete tasks.

Technologies of the digital transformation

Some terms have become very popular because "digital transformation" has become so popular. These terms are the main reason why this approach has been so successful. Here are some of them:

Big Data

Data analysis is very important in digital transformation. Gold knows how your customers act, what they want, and what they expect from you. Big Data is a vital part of this situation because it lets companies store, manage, and analyze the millions of bytes of data to find insights that were not possible before.

Learning by Machine.

Find behaviors and patterns to predict what will happen in the future. We don't have to program software to do a specific task. Instead, we can teach computers to recognize these patterns and suggest ways to solve the problems.

Remember that digital transformation is more than just automating processes or using technologies like Cloud Computing and Big Data in your everyday life. It's a much bigger idea requiring a significant change in how your business works and your employees do their jobs.

Do you think your business is ready to make the switch to digital? Comment your thoughts.