Driving Digitization Forward in the Company

Rapid changes are the order of the day in the field of digitization. This poses major challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular. 

However, there are certainly valuable offers of support available in this context, for example in the form of the Digital Prämie Berlin. This offers far-reaching assistance and financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises so that they can successfully implement the measures required for a more digital everyday business in the foreseeable future. 

In addition, some basic tips can be identified that are generally a great help in implementing innovative technologies and realizing digitization projects in companies. The following article explains what these are and what is particularly important in the context of introducing innovative digital technologies.

Creating the right conditions

It is enormously important to create an understanding among employees as to why digitization must be driven forward in the company. To this end, the responsible employees from all business units should be called together to take stock of the current situation. 

This will help to identify where there is room for improvement and which areas are already working well. The focus should be on the technologies currently in use. Above all, it is important to reassure the teams that the focus of the digital transformation is not on job cuts, but simply on optimizing workflows and processes. 

It is helpful to clearly highlight the benefits of digitalization, such as job security and reduced overtime. 

Create a structured action plan

Not all existing weaknesses in the company need to be remedied with the help of digital technologies. Nevertheless, it is important to consider how digitalization and higher data quality could significantly optimize certain areas of the company.

With regard to the acquisition and subsequent implementation of digital solutions, the next step is to draw up a structured action plan comprising the most important steps and specific milestones. It is also important to have some form of contingency planning in case a planned step cannot ultimately be realized. 

To ensure that motivation is not lost on the long road to digitization, the action plan should also include, among other things, short-term goals that allow simple and quickly achievable successes – through these, the motivation of all involved is maintained. Projects that prove not to be too time-consuming or costly are suitable for this purpose, for example. 

Establishing a change team

In order to create the necessary acceptance for the changes among the employees, the first step is for the management in the company to understand the necessity of digitization and to set a good example in the introduction of the innovative technologies. 

In this regard, it also makes a lot of sense to form a special change team. This team includes executives from all departments who are strongly committed to driving the changeover forward and who also credibly represent this to other employees. 

Commitment and communication

A communication plan is also a great help in digitization projects. This is used to explain the changes to the teams in detail, to dispel employees’ concerns and to obtain quick feedback on any problems that may arise.

One recommended method is to inform all employees about the current status and progress of digitization in regular meetings or in the form of internal newsletters.