World Monitor Magazine, #5, Industry World Monitor Magazine, Industrial Overview | Page 85

trend locator 2017 Top 10 Trends For Digital Transformation Digital transformation reshapes every aspect of a business. As digital technology continues to evolve, we believe that successful digital transformation will require careful collaboration, thoughtful planning, and the inclusion of every department. Digital transformation has morphed from a trend to a central component of modern business strategy. Here are the top 10 trends we expect to see in 2017: 1. Adaptability is more vital to success than ever: Modern enterprises succeed when they adapt to industry and marketplace shifts and incorporate new technology into company culture and regular operations. 2. Growing importance of the user experience: The customer experience (including employees) is the ultimate goal of any digital transformation. Customers are more cautious than ever; they’ll turn away from brands that don’t align with their values and needs. A topnotch user experience is a fantastic way to keep customers involved and engaged with your brand. 3. Innovation must happen rapidly: Proactive innovation is one of the best ways to stay competitive in an evolving marketplace. New technology needs to be assessed, tested, analyzed, and judged more quickly than ever. Businesses can no longer afford to waste time and resources implementing new tools that offer no real value. 4. Embrace the remote workforce: Young professionals prefer flexibility to compensation. Mobile technology and bandwidth proliferation allow businesses to connect with (and retain) top talent anywhere in the world. Contract and freelance employees appreciate the ability to work from home or while sitting on the beach. 5. The advent of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): The booming success of the Pokémon GO AR app is a wakeup call to any business that hasn’t evaluated the potential of AR and VR. These technologies were once limited to the gaming realm, but they’re now easier to implement than ever before. The mainstream shift toward AR and VR provides new ways to connect with customers and offer unique, memorable interactions. The popularity of AR and VR also open up the gates for workplace gamification. 82 world monitor