Embracing digital transformation to succeed in a post-Covid world

We are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel and the real potential for a return to something resembling the ‘old normal’ following the approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, uncertainty remains for much of 2021 with the potential for further lockdowns and other restrictive measures to prevent the pandemic from gaining momentum before health authorities start to bring it under control. So, despite the good news, the unpredictability of the situation will continue to shape the business landscape while we wait for a full vaccine roll-out and likely long afterwards – leaving businesses exposed, especially those that have stuck with old approaches despite the changing requirements of the digital age.

If we’ve learned one thing over the last eight months, it’s that the pandemic has accelerated the need for businesses to embrace change and put in place the foundations for digital transformation. This approach will not only stand them in good stead as they attempt to navigate the current crisis but as they face whatever other unforeseen hurdles impact them or the broader marketplace in future.

Laying the foundations

According to a recent study by leading tech and media research firm IDG, IT investment is among the top priorities for CIOs in 2021 and 46% of C-Level executives want to cultivate more innovative teams. While the COVID crisis has jump-started many digital business initiatives aimed at boosting workplace collaboration and productivity, the reality is the pandemic has also shone a light on exactly how far along each company is on its digital transformation journey – and for many, it’s not far enough.

But to prepare for the next chapter of the coronavirus crisis and beyond, IT leaders need to be bold and put in place innovative approaches and tools to help them steer their way through current and future challenges – such as the disruption of Brexit for businesses in the UK and EU. These enable enterprises to be adaptable so that they can overcome new obstacles and even seize on potential opportunities.

Being ‘business agile’ is vital in providing companies with the flexibility needed to adjust tactics and strategies in markets that are rapidly evolving. By digitalising the DNA of the business, organisations move a long way towards eliminating poor workplace collaboration, missed opportunities, misaligned goals, duplicated work processes and siloed systems and practices.

Implanting the driving force for change

The acceleration of digital transformation due to the pandemic has already changed the approach to work management for many organisations. A number of global enterprises such as Deutsche Bank and Microsoft have announced plans to shift large parts of their workforces to permanent remote working, while Google has delayed plans of a return to the office until late 2021. These are just a few signs that businesses’ strategies are evolving in response to changing market dynamics.

No one wants to be in a position where they aren’t prepared for the unexpected, and so finding ways to ensure adaptability has become a major priority for smart leadership teams. Within organisations, technology decision-makers need to put in place solutions that ensure employees are able to recognise changes in their industry, understand how the business needs to react and have the flexibility to initiate the necessary adjustments.

On a practical level, by providing work management tools that allow employees to be proactive rather than reactive and to contribute to decision-making processes, corporate leaders can empower their teams – encouraging out-of-the-box thinking that might not otherwise be possible. What’s more, deploying cloud-based technology to support anywhere, anytime working ensures this approach can withstand future disruptive events. The right work management platform also allows company leaders to gain visibility across the organisation in real time, enabling them to rotate resources to the right areas based on accurate data and insights when problems occur.

Thriving in the aftermath

The future is certainly looking brighter each day, even if we still have a way to go to escape the shadow of COVID-19. One thing is sure: The time to implement digital adoption across enterprises cannot be delayed. Businesses have to fast-track their digital transformation journeys to boost collaboration, ensure resilience and safeguard their futures. In an era of ongoing uncertainty and unpredictability, being able to react effectively and quickly to market changes is crucial to not just surviving but thriving.