DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION X EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
I would like to expose here a subject and a situation that has been making me think for some time, which is the relationship between digital transformation (DT) x personal transformation. What do these two points have in common and how much does each interfere and relate to each other? I intend to be brief in this comparison, and I would like to propose a reflection.
We are going through a misfortune and a moment that requires a series of changes, which perhaps many people and companies are not prepared for.
Several companies and experts say that there has been a leap in digital transformation where what was supposed to happen in 5 years, happened in a few months. What I personally disagree with in parts.
A recent research points out that the subject of digital transformation is the # 1 risk pointed out by CEOs, directors and senior executives. Even so, 70% of all TD initiatives do not achieve their goals. Of the USD $ 1.3 trillion spent on TD last year, it is estimated that USD $ 900 billion went to waste. Why are some DT efforts successful and others fail?
Many companies have adopted different technologies to adapt to what they call "new normal", but digital transformation is not just technology, it is a tripod between TECHNOLOGY x PROCESSES x PEOPLE, if any of these supporters of the tripod is out of harmony with each other, the entire transformation digital can be doomed to failure.
We will approach the technology tripod in conjunction with processes. Nowadays the offer of solutions that support the digital transformation is immense, the advent of the famous cloud technology (Cloud Computing) brings a huge range of options in several areas of operation. As a new strategy for sales through digital channels, the digitization of a recurring process However, what is the point of companies investing in technology if processes and people do not support the use of these new technologies?
In several situations, I see that even with the adoption of new technologies, companies are not willing to review their processes, they are not willing to change and in several situations, they do not want to hear (did not say adopt) the suggestions or good practices adopted in the market or practices adopted in other companies.
And then I reach the pillar related to PEOPLE. Many of the challenges faced in changing processes or receiving something new are related to people. I see companies looking for the adoption of new technologies, aiming at a review of processes, but hitting the people pillar, because employees are not willing to learn the usability of a new tool, they do not want to change the way they work, they are resistant to seeing that a new technology or process, will make everyday life more comfortable.
Companies need to work on transforming people, the PEOPLE pillar is the driving force behind digital transformation and the pillar that can make your digital transformation successful or not. The question is why is it so difficult to engender transformation in the PEOPLE pillar?
All this adaptation to which we were subjected abruptly, requires an emotional intelligence from us, which many did not yet have. Many today are working from home, making the so famous and desired home-office. The so-desired home-office has become a nightmare for many, because the neighbor is under renovation, the neighbor listens to loud music, the wicked of the construction company decided to build a building next door (and well on weekdays, which gets in the way the meeting.. :)). Those who have children need to reconcile home schooling with meetings, plus the task of preparing lunch and many other things.
What I have noticed and heard is that during the first weeks and months of the pandemic and quarantine several people were mega productive, but that productivity was falling and becoming unproductive, which led many people to simply "collapse", go through psychological problems and in physical health.
Returning to the heart of our discussion, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION is directly linked to the question of PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION, people need to be prepared for such a process, they need to feel comfortable with the journey they will go through and more than anything understand why they need to go through this journey.
To the executives who drive their companies towards digital transformation, look at all the pillars, be open to reviewing their processes, listen to what has been adopted by their industry, by customers from other segments. Seek an equalization between what currently exists and what is being implemented and proposed. Understand PILAR people, what are the expectations, desires and fears. Often the digital transformation is not only linked to technology, as we mentioned above, most of the time it is linked to people and processes and in some situations not even a new technology is required for an innovation process.
Fundamentally, failures in DT occur because most digital technologies offer possibilities for efficiency gains and intimacy with the customer. But if people don't have the right mindset to change and current organizational practices are failures, DT will simply increase those failures.
In another post we will talk about some situations that can help us to lead our organizations through digital transformations and look at some successful examples.
A big hug and I hope I helped in the reflection.
Daniel CAMILLO .'.