If you have a SMB, you have probably heard countless times of the advantages and opportunities that the digital transformation offers your business. But have you stopped to read and understand what it means and what it entails? Well, we’re going to tell you here. Thanks to the technology sector, this new revolution in the business world can contribute a lot to your company and involve significant growth. We’re going to take a close look at it.

Do you need help in starting your digitalisation?

What the digital transformation is

First of all, understand that this transformation is not an alternative nor an option that companies have. Looking at large organisations, at how the public works and at the coming world is enough to understand that this is a reality here and now, that it has already become part of our way of understanding businesses.

In addition, it is something that the data show to be effective and cutting edge. Many businesses, after assimilating this transformation, have increased their sales by up to 39%. The reason? That it has opened an endless number of new channels that can used to communicate with and reach their target audience.

Basically, you have to come at it from two sides:

– A change in the technological systems of the company. Such as the integration of new technologies or things related to the Internet. Online sales, social networks, the automation of processes, etc. All these things are part of the transformation that is taking place everywhere. That is: using these new technologies as allies to achieve your goal of increasing sales.

– A change in mindset. Every transformation always presents a disruptive character regarding what to do, and even more importantly, how to do it. Executives and bodies with responsibility and power are going to have to begin to develop new models for thinking about and solving the problems that involve solutions related to the new technologies and their digital components.

With these two changes, your company can begin that transformation.

Advantages of its implementation

What advantages does this change offer? Let’s look at the main ones:

Improves the customer experience

The current business models revolve around, above all else, the customer. Knowing what the customer feels or experiences in making contact with your company, in interacting with it. Nowadays, consumers look for companies available to them, attentive, close, etc., and you can get all this through digital or technological elements. 24-hour service, personalised communication, analysis of statistics to see their satisfaction level and possible improvements, etc. And, clearly, with a happier, more satisfied audience, greater future sales and more loyalty.

Greater organisation

A large part of technological solutions is focussed, precisely, on organising the information or data in a company in a different way. Whether it be through CRM or another kind of software that brings together all the information about anything that happens inside the company. For one thing, this allows you to have the ability to respond much more rapidly to problems, challenges and unexpected events. For another, it makes it easier to optimise your resources and minimize your losses (be that in provisions for monitoring your orders or calculating your stock better).

More collaborative work among employees

In addition, since all the departments must be connected, this will make the relationships between them closer and more functional. Thus, at an internal level, as well, the need arises to improve and bring together the dealings among employees.

New business opportunities

Without a doubt, one of the most important things. As you will see, it will not only be your way of working or of relating to your customers that changes. You model of production, distribution and, ultimately, the way in which you present your products or services will change as well. This translates into the possibility of new markets. An example: e-commerce opens up the whole world and digitalisation is the perfect opportunity to find new market niches and different ways of satisfying consumer demand.

Forming part of the culture of innovation in a company

Regarding the change in mindset we mentioned above, opting for the digital also means opting for the new, for business progress and the latest. Consequently, a company that adopts this change is going to be more inclined to start other transformations which may be as beneficial or more so than the digital one.

Methodology for the transformation

How can you start it in your company? Primarily, there are 3 steps to take:

1. Give up the ingrained dynamics

This means stop resorting to the classic solutions you have always been working with in your company. In other words, leave your comfort zone. Look for different models of responses, much more focussed on technology. Start processes and projects that are purely digital (new sales plans, other means of communication, etc.).

2. Encourage digital skills among your employees

Whether it be adding new profiles in to the staff or updating those you already have through classes and training. In this way, digital skills will be integrated naturally into the workings of your company. When new projects or solutions must be presented, technological options will naturally be proposed as a means or an alternative.

3. Begin to design exclusively digital strategies

Lastly, the best way to support and grow in the direction of a transformation is by designing specifically digital strategies in the company. For example, designing online sales plans, favouring digital means of communication, etc. Whenever a new need arises, you propose a solution to it in digital terms.

In the end, digital transformation has become a reality in the markets. And it is crucial that you adapt and get used to it as soon as possible — not simply for survival, but also because the opportunities that await you are far from few.

Do you want us to advise you on the tools your business needs to become digital and which fit with your objectives?