“Digital Transformation” is the most used set of words today in any organization or industry. Over the years there have been multiple terminologies used to explain and justify “Change” in an industry or organization. As the pace of technology adoption and its significance has increased exponentially, it is practically impossible to segregate “Technology” and “Transformation”. Consequently, organizations are realizing that the ONLY way to establish, grow and sustain goes through the technology. Thus, a central focus has been on the various maturity levels of technology that an organization can adapt or adopt.
Director
Global Program Management Lead at Mondelez International
Decoding digital transformation
Digital Transformation is the key for any organization to succeed and this encompasses the entire ecosystem of any organization/industry. I believe in keeping things simple and hence in my view, “Technology is the key enabler for any organization to transform digitally”. Be it infrastructure with Cloud/Cloud Computing or be it an organization’s sales representative on the field trying to place an order with the system, everything and everywhere Technology is the enabler. However, every organization can be at a different level when it comes to the digital transformation journey.
The level or maturity of the Digital transformation depends on the maturity of the organization is in its journey. For newer companies, it’s definitely a good choice since they have as good as a clean slate to start with, while for set organizations, this brings in a big change in the way they conduct their businesses.
Digital transformation: Technology and value
Digital transformation involves investing in the right technologies that can integrate well with their existing technological ecosystem, but, most importantly, this change should lead eliminate or at least reduce the key pain areas that the business was suffering from. Furthermore, it should add value from a business standpoint, such as implementing a sales solution that never existed would bring in not just automation, but also additional sales since the respective teams can then focus on what they do best, building a selling strategy and executing it. With the support of technology that brings simplicity and automation, they can focus on the Bigger Goals that they are intended to work on. Similarly, there is a strong desire to ensure that whatever organizations implement from technology standpoint is not just the “Best in Class” or the “Leading” solutions but is also sustainable from a security and compliance standpoint.
This is where, as I call it, “Core Technology” comes in, the infrastructure, cloud, cloud computing, cyber security, etc. It is imperative that organizations understand and have the right experts who understand which technology is apt from an architectural and security perspective.
Technology is so far advanced now and, when used smart, a consumer can get all the details of the product simply by sitting in his/her living room. They don’t even need to leave their homes to get the product they want to know more about and/or desire to purchase! This is a good example of “Digital Transformation”, even the consumers are transforming. But this is where it is becoming more and more evident that industry and organizations do not have choice! To get in line with the consumer demands, businesses must become more transformed digitally through technology.
Industry specific digital transformation use cases
If we start thinking through the various “departments” in an organization across industry the relevance of Digital Transformation and Technology can be explained as below:
Supply Chain
There has always been pressure to manage/reduce/optimize the supply chain cost, but, with the BIG learning from Covid, its also brought in the added element of “Sustainability” right to the fore of these priorities. Supply chain is at the heart of the business and its critical to have this supported through the right technology. There are multiple planning systems, manufacturing systems, logistics systems that provide an insight to the user to plan their purchase, manufacturing, inventory and distribution optimally. The IOT concept is making headwinds in the areas of Inventory Management. Real time tracking of trucks is helping, not just to understand the status, but also to map and do the analytics to drive more efficiencies.
Finance
Leading core ERP systems are helping in tracking the spend, P&L of products and categories. These, when integrated with Low Code No Code systems can build some powerful enablers to drive analytics.
Human Resources
What do you need to make your employees more capable, motivated and more productive? The latest technologies in the HR space are helping organizations roll out realistic development plans and career growth opportunities to the employees.
Sales and Consumer
What is the consumer looking for? How does an organization know what new products to launch? The Consumer data tools in the industry are providing in depth insights on consumer demands, not just helping organizations and their R&D departments to build/produce new products, but also to understand the sustainability mindset which helps the organizations show their social and empathetic side to the society. How do we package right so we can provide the product to the consumer in the right quantity, at the same time, curb inflation and other costs to remain profitable? Multiple tools in Revenue Growth Management are helping organizations in this area.
Digital transformation from an integrated lens
How does this all fit together? It is very critical that the organizations build their strategy that “INCLUDES” Digital Transformation, and hence, technology. It cannot be the other way round! This helps shape up not just the business strategy, but also brings in technology from a very initial point which makes it simpler to identify and chalk out the organization’s Digital Transformation journey. Additionally, it enables a discussion on the table to discuss what and how much makes sense from a Digital Transformation perspective. And most importantly, it is automatically aligned with the organization’s strategy and roadmap.
Technology is everywhere and organizations who wish to sustain, have to embrace and get on the Digital Transformation journey before its too late! Many have realized the criticality of Technology and have already embarked on this journey, but, let me assure you, its not easy and moreover, its not simple to understand where to STOP! And by STOP, I mean where does one draw the line and get into “Sustain” than keep on building new solutions? Technology is and will keep on evolving, and as organizations become more and more “Tech Savvy”, this will be the most difficult question to answer!
About the author
Amit Potnis is the Director – Global Program Management Lead at Mondelēz International. He comes with 23+ years of proven Global and Regional IT leadership. Amit has been credited for Operational excellence in delivering Transformation and migration (GBS programs). He has diversified experience across IT Strategy Roadmap, innovation (Consumer and Sales) and execution in COE setup, Data and Analytics, Supply Chain including infrastructure/solutions. Amit has expertise in developing OKRs (Objective and Key Results) with a clear focus on generating business value and driving business growth.
