A zero-jargon perspective on digital transformation

In the last five years, who has been your ‘digital transformation’ catalyst? Was it the CEO? The CTO? Or, quite unexpectedly, was it COVID-19? 

In 2020 and 2021, a virus did all the selling for IT vendors. Organizations  – for a change – did true digital transformation, even though they did not know it. The happy (though short-lived) change occurred because during COVID-19 lockdowns, you – the decision-makers, inverted the tech buying process. Rather than being swayed by sales pitches, you set clear expectations. 

You demanded solutions that were fast, efficient, and user-friendly. You challenged vendors to deliver results not in months, but in days. You stood firm in your requirements. And as a result, you got your first taste of what digital transformation truly means. For a change, salespeople were silent, you had clarity, speed and cost were all that mattered, and real work got done. However, it’s disheartening to see the market reverting to its old ways.

                                                                               Source : Marketoonist

Sadly, now that the urgency is gone, digital transformation is back to being that proverbial pot at the end of the rainbow – a pot nobody can see, and for which CTOs are on journeys that never seem to end. 

Why is Digital Transformation Perceived as Complex?

Two reasons. 

1. A business is a complex organism with countless hearts, brains, and limbs. Even the largest tech firms cannot fully comprehend the intricacies of your specific business. Therefore, any solution, strategy, or tool suite they offer cannot perfectly align with your unique needs – it’s simply not feasible.
2. Vendors lean heavily on jargon. In the business of digital transformation, you’re being sold a journey designed to never end, so the invoices keep on hitting your bank accounts. Asking “When will we reach our goal?” or “What is our destination?” seems almost taboo.

What exactly is digital transformation, for your business?

It’s time for a change. Let’s start by empowering you to define what digital transformation means for your organization, in your terms.

You Decide What Digital Transformation Means

Next time you’re in a meeting with a tech company, try this. Ask them, “What’s your definition of digital transformation?” Bet you, the next time you ask, their answer changes. Confusing, isn’t it?

It seems there’s so much confusion around ‘what is digital transformation’, that researchers find it worth their time to unpack definitions and arrive at a common one. 

                                                                            Source: ResearchGate

Don’t be bothered by this table. It’s yet another attempt at making digital transformation sound like something you’re too naive to understand. Forget everything you’ve heard or read about digital transformation. Only focus on these four things about it. 

1. It starts from within. No one can sell it to you.
2. It’s about radical results. Not just 10% or 20%, but aiming for a 10x improvement.
3. It affects your entire organization.
4. It’s driven by technology.

Imagine changing the way you work so that everything you do now gets you 10x the results. This new approach applies to everything in your organization, and technology is the key driver here. Do this, and you’re in the middle of true digital transformation. Now, let’s break down what this transformation might look like for you:

1. A workplace where technology helps everyone do their jobs better.
2. What if “who does what and when” is decided by logic, not just opinion?
3. The right info at the right time in front of the right people.
4. Everyone works towards not just growth but superlative performance.
5. Every customer interaction is proactive and personal. 

This is what digital transformation is supposed to mean.

Warning: most digital transformations fail. Here’s why.

Think about this for a second. Is it enough to know what digital transformation is? While that’s insurance against being misled by a vendor, it’s certainly not a guarantee that you’ll find success. 

What are the fail rates for digital transformation? 84% fail, says Forbes. 70% fail, says Deloitte. And McKinsey agrees. Surprised? Or if you’ve ever paid an invoice for a digital transformation, perhaps you’re angry. Let’s try to be impartial for a moment and think about this. 

Why Do Digital Transformation Projects Struggle?

The failure is at two levels. 

Level 1 – Processes

CTOs can find themselves blind-sighted and left thinking that it’s about ‘buying a certain technology’ and then waiting for the magic to happen. On the other hand, the organization’s processes are in a shape that just won’t let digital transformation happen. Issues like these.

1. Each department in a company has its own system, like isolated islands. They’re not talking to each other.
2. IT folks are up to their necks dealing with tech complexities. It’s a daily grind.
3. Leaders are often hesitant about tech changes. Why? The cost and time seem too high.
4. Tech consultants speak a language from another planet.
5. So many processes and systems are not syncing up, it’s like an orchestra without a conductor.
6. Everyone’s so busy solving today’s problems, that they miss the big picture. What’s important often gets overshadowed by what’s urgent.

Level 2 – Technology

When the time comes to choose the tech, it’s a mistake not being obsessive enough. Your tech decisions have to be about getting ‘what you want’ and not about letting vendors dictate ‘what they want you to buy’. 

Here, let’s do a thought experiment. Imagine what your organization would look like in an ideal world.

In that world:

• Work gets done super quickly and at a much lower cost than usual.
• Your team, even those not in IT, can help make applications. Everyone is an inventor.
• You can add new apps to manage work without worrying about it taking ages or costing too much.
• You can try new apps quickly and change them if needed, without being scared of messing up.
• There’s a single version of truth for everyone; data analysis is minutes away.
• It’s easier to set and follow goals, making sure everyone’s working on what’s important.
• New team members can jump in and get going quickly, helping your team grow.
• You can use the latest tech, like AI, easily, quickly, and without it costing a fortune.

Now that you’ve articulated it, it doesn’t seem like a dream anymore, does it? So there is no need to let any vendor dazzle you with a sleek UI and pretty little demonstrations of ‘cool new features’. 

Instead, insist on getting technology that makes your people more capable. That’s what technology was always meant to do – make superhumans out of humans. So, ignore features, and insist on how it will make your people more capable. Only one question remains. Where can you find this technology?

Amoga — a no-nonsense platform built for people who are serious about digital transformation

When we built Amoga, we were clear on this – businesses want outcomes, and if technology will get them those outcomes fast and cheap, they will want technology too. So we’ve built the technology that does one thing – it empowers everyone in your organization to do more, with less. 

Our happy customers stick to Amoga because of their own. Among these, the most common ones are: 

1. Build Apps Fast: Instead of years, imagine building apps in months. Amoga lets your team code less, build more, and launch features quicker.
2. Save Money: Ditch expensive custom coding. Amoga’s drag-and-drop tools slash development costs and free up the budget for other important things.
3. Everyone Can Build: Even non-programmers can create useful apps with Amoga. This frees up your developers for complex tasks and empowers your whole team.
4. Stay Organized: No more messy projects. Amoga keeps everyone on track with clear dashboards and progress reports, boosting overall efficiency.
5. Automate Busywork: Let Amoga handle repetitive tasks. Focus your team’s energy on creative problem-solving, not tedious data entry.
6. Work Together Seamlessly: Share data and updates in real time. Amoga breaks down silos and fosters smooth collaboration across departments.
7. One Platform, Endless Possibilities: Amoga adapts to your needs, no matter your industry or size. It’s like building blocks for any kind of app you can imagine.
8. Plays Nice with Others: Amoga connects with all your favourite tools and platforms. No more data stuck in separate systems.

Don’t just take our word for it. Try Amoga. Let’s talk about how we can do a POC for you and see how it can transform your development process. We’re confident Amoga can make a difference. Take your time, explore, and see if it’s the right fit for your team.

Not ready for it yet? Why not simply tell us your thoughts and experiences of digital transformations? You’ll find us keen company for a conversation on digital transformation any hour of the day.