The
challenge. Motivating
the senior management and driving the digital transformation is one thing but
mobilizing the whole organization and on-boarding them in the journey is
another and the tougher challenge. The enterprise needs to send clear signals
and through as many channels as possible. The objective is to motivate the
lower level employees to enroll themselves in this endeavor with zero or little
force. Redefined policies and modified work practices must be clearly defined
and enforced, and participation must be encouraged and rewarded. The goals and
results of the transformation need to be transparently defined, and benefits
clearly conveyed to the entire organization such that every team and every
individual will contribute to the cause.
The approach. The appointment of a CDO, a
digital challenge thrown by the CEO that has a measurable result by a certain
cutoff date, or the visible branding of the transformation in a large way
across the organization such as declaring a digital year are some of the
activities that will send clear signal to the entire organization that the
business is serious about this transformation effort. The leaders must lead
from the front engaging in digital transformational activities themselves and
encouraging the team around them to adopt the new policies and newly set
procedures. The transformation should be co-created with the teams shouldering
the responsibilities together with the management.
New behaviors need to be
standardized but enterprises must also allow the digital culture to evolve
organically across the organization.
Digital champions who can liaison between the management and the end
users must be identified in every department and team, trained and encouraged
to help people around them to adopt the digital culture. Quick digital wins
must be rightly identified, advertised and rewarded so that the whole
organization is motivated and mobilized around the transformation efforts. Enterprises
must make visible changes to work practices and institutionalize them. Adoption
of solutions for transformation must be encouraged rather than just deployment.