COVID-19 has helped businesses around the world achieve in a few months what might have taken years in a non-pandemic world: Accelerate their adoption of digital solutions and processes. Many companies have had to expedite their digitalization efforts - from increasing their online presence to digitalizing supply chains during this period or risk being left behind. Business owners now know digital transformation needs to take place to stay relevant, but it does not seem to be high on the priority list. Thus: nothing happens. So how do you create this sense of urgency to make digital transformation happen?
Make sure they understand the situation
Business owners are the ones whose palms need to start sweating whenever they see a competitor who has successfully implemented yet another new technology – while they haven't upgraded their own in years.
Explain the consequences
What will happen if, well, nothing happens? And when? Create pressure by giving realistic scenarios of what will happen if nothing changes anytime soon. Make them concrete: use predictions based on numbers and facts or examples of similar companies who ignored the inevitable e.g., Homefix and Robinsons, to name a few.
Provide a solution – and a way to get there
It's always good to show examples of others who've done it well. Why not show competitors who have accomplished change? Sometimes, nothing can kindle the desire to change, like seeing competitors doing it (and succeeding at it). You can find great examples of companies who've successfully digitally transformed e.g., ASTAR's Research Support Centre and CTECH Technologies.
Impact of Covid-19
For all the companies that lost out due to COVID-19-induced low consumer demand, many companies could leverage digital solutions to come out on top. A lot of retailers were able to ramp up their online presence as demand for e-commerce rose. Gyms could launch live fitness classes for their members through their apps and on social media. Ridesharing and delivery platforms were able to expand services to other sectors and helped them to move online.
For businesses, digital transformation was always essential. With the impact of Covid-19, this journey has become urgent and critical if companies emerge from the pandemic successfully and profitably.
Explore more
- Read about The Digital Transformation Journey
- Learn more about our “Digital Backbones”
- Learn more from our eBook series on Digital Transformation for Wholesale Trade
Tags:#digitaltransformation #B2B #digitaladoption #digitalintegration #covid19 #digitalsolutions #wholesaletradesector #wholesaletrade
