This year can be indisputably called ‘The Year of Change’ in almost every level of our live. A labour market has entered in a digital age and even if it was forced it is worth to think what opportunities or threats can the digitalization bring.
Based on EY report we have noticed that 71% of survey participants named ‘digital business models and services’ as one of their three top priorities in 2020 and it was 10% higher result than ‘improving customer experience’. COVID-19 surprised us all and many companies fought with putting a digital solution really quickly into practice. They had to endure new difficulties and threats. Leadership was focused more on tactical actions rather that strategic goals.
First of all, lockdown forced companies to send their employees to home office. Whether the companies like it or not there is a percentage of workers whose lack of skills and expertise in digital domains can hinder the effective performance of duties. Additionally, not everyone has in their house a good access to network or technology and sometimes even needed equipment which must be provided by the company.
Apart from that there are others technical and personal issues that influence the situation in the negative way. We need to be aware of fragmentation of data, systems and processes. Of course, there is also the issue of both company and customers cybersecurity and mentioned frequently during the latest IAB conference – fraud management.
From a personal point of view, as we can read in many psychological reports, the effectiveness of working at home can be different and depends on the individual employee character traits. Some people can be focused no matter what and for some even a rustle of leaf might be distracting. You may also feel a decrease level of internal and external collaboration with other co-workers, suppliers and customers. In some cases, the last group needs to build a digital trust for your company from the scratch.
Looking that way, the digitalization shows up in a bad light, but is it all that scary and wrong? Using the right models and well-thought-out strategy we can develop company based on new opportunities. We reach further, we interest more recipients faster. Home office or ‘hot desks’ may be a chance to reduce a cost of maintenance the company surface. In customers opinion digital companies are more responsive and better meet expectation of their clients. The communication is more flexible and leave the digital print which is needed to resolve any issues of responsibilities division nature. They do not have to head to the office thereby they sleep more and so they are well rested and effective. Therefor new digital capabilities like analytics, automation have appeared.
Sometimes we need to look further in a future and think what are the benefits for us and how to adjust our businesses to the new reality.
