Many organizations continue to prioritize technology above people, putting their faith in algorithms and computers rather than the actual people who will be using those tools. However, it still takes people to make things actually happen. For savvy CXOs, that means talking about how staffers use technologies to be more efficient, rather than merely talking about servers, devices, software, or platforms.
The human side of digital change is equally as vital as the technological one. For any new technology investment, it is critical to understand how it empowers people and processes, interacts with current infrastructure, increases value, and reduces risk. Successful business strategies include a fully enabled Digital Workplace, and business leaders must realize this.
Access to information, knowledge sharing, and idea exchange are all critical components in fostering a collaborative, exploratory, and co-creative environment in the workplace. Employee productivity and satisfaction will rise as a result, which will help a company retain current employees and recruit new ones. By enabling new workstyles made feasible by the technologies enterprises currently have at their disposal, the Digital Workplace aims to accomplish more in novel ways.
It is imperative that organizations work harder to understand how their employees work and analyze their work styles so that new technologies can be tailored to meet their demands as well as those of the wider organization.
“You will find it easier to build a long-term strategy for your organization if you recognize that this is a cultural as well as a technology change.”
Understanding the employee’s digital readiness and anticipating their resistance will assist ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to laying the groundwork for effective change management. Put people first, before everything else. The value of digitization may be fully realized by empowering your employees to be change-makers and ambassadors.
In order for a company to be successful, all of the people in charge of the change must encourage employees to try new things, such as through rapid prototyping and letting them learn from their mistakes so that they can improve. Another thing that is important for people in important roles is to make sure that their own departments work together with others when they are working on transformations.
During a digital transformation, clear communication is vital. Communicating a change story helps employees understand where the company is going, why it is changing, and why the changes are critical. Leaders can have a significant impact on the way employees engage and perform in a digital transition, share enthusiasm, and resolve problems.
There are many questions raised in people’s minds when an organization is going through the digital transformation phase and addressing those is very important. Let’s have a look at a few of the questions
- Is a new technology replacing an old one?
- How will it affect roles?
- Will there be training?
- Will there be a reduction in force?
- Will jobs change?
When new technology enters the workplace, these are real fears that people have. Employees’ concerns should be understood, but leaders must also be prepared to answer the harsh issues that they may raise. Since it gives leaders the skills they need to inspire and energize workers affected by change, change management is critical to a successful digital transformation. As a result, when implementing new tools, leadership teams that focus on people issues and learn the necessary skills for change management find greater success and uptake.
Conclusion
Technology is a major factor in most of the changes we face in our professional lives. It is important to keep in mind while embarking on your next digital endeavor that people use the technology, not the other way around. Although technology is the driving force behind digital transformation, people are equally a part of it. Yes, organizations require DevOps and Agile methods, as well as cloud computing technologies, but the most crucial components for a successful digital transformation are human skills—and the ability to learn, evolve, and innovate.
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