DIGITAL BEYOND
TECHNOLOGY
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DOESN’T
START OR END WITH TECHNOLOGY
By Mike Wilkinson
Organisations too often fall into a common trap:
They pick shiny new technology and hope the
rest will sort itself out. They assume that people
will adopt the technology and it will revolutionise
how they work, breaking down barriers that have
existed for years in the organisation. It will be
the single largest success in the organisation’s
history.
Simply implementing new technology isn’t
going to translate into successful digital
transformation. In order to truly get the best
out of new technology, whether hardware
or software, you must invest time and effort
into changing how people interact with each
other and with the organisation through that
technology. You need to prove to them that there
is value in using the new technology over the old.
But not once have I heard “Thank god for [insert
new tech], it worked the first time and solved all
my problems.” What’s more, I don’t ever expect
to hear it.
NON-TECHNOLOGY FACTORS ARE GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR TRANSFORMATION STICKS
12
Leaders who realise that their organisation no longer suffices in this new digital world. transparent. Doing so will allow you to
needs to transform must understand that To foster sustainable digital transformation, become more dynamic, collaborative
the way of working that got them to where you need employees who are empowered. and disruptive, and major changes
they are is not going to take them where You need to enable them to make the right will no longer require constant change
they need to go. The command-and-control decisions. You need to help them change management programs.
model of management, with employees your culture into one that is ruthlessly serving to implement leaders’ directives, customer-focused, innovative, open and
DIGITECH Magazine
Summer 2017