Common missteps and how to avoid them
Digital transformation is amazing and exciting , but only if done right . Too often , companies get swept up in something most of us are familiar with – FOMO , the ‘ fear of missing out .’ They get sold on all the wonders of digitalization and jump the gun on implementing solutions .
This is an avoidable obstacle . Businesses need a well-considered digital transformation plan . This is often done most successfully with the right digital transformation partner who can help them mine processes for automation , select the right solutions , integrate automation into their existing infrastructure and upskill existing workers or , if preferred , maintain their new digital infrastructure on their behalf .
Vendors offering a platform of solutions will be better able to help businesses find the right digitalization plan for their unique needs . Rather than working with five different vendors to implement five advanced automation technologies in a piecemeal fashion , a single vendor strategy enables businesses to integrate their digital solutions cohesively . In an integrated scenario , these advanced technologies work together , maximizing value as intended .
Subject matter expertise is another key differentiator because a vendor offering in-depth knowledge of your sector will understand your pain points and which business process automation will add the most value to your operations .
Another common trap businesses fall into is not investing in the cultural transformation needed to make any digital transformation successful . To get the most out of business process automation , you need to upskill engaged workers with an aptitude for such training . It would help if you also educated all workers on the purpose of a digitalization plan . Why should they care ? How are they going to benefit ? These are key questions and if your employees don ’ t know the answers , you ’ re already positioning your plan to fail . Workers play a significant role in overseeing digitalization implementation ; if they feel antagonistic about it , their chances of success diminish .
Estimates suggest that for every dollar businesses spend on licensing an automation solution , they spend five times more trying to figure out how to implement and scale automation . This is an avoidable waste of resources , especially when many can ’ t afford it .
Play the long game
The world doesn ’ t stop during downturns , so you can ’ t either . A Harvard Business Review study that looked at the outcomes across three recessions found those most likely to flourish post-downturn were the ones that successfully balanced improving efficiency with investing in the future . That is the power of advanced automation technologies : they improve efficiency and free up resources for innovation and human capital investment , paving the way for long-term success . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Gautam Moorjani www . blueprism . com
Gautam Moorjani is Head of Product at SS & C Blue Prism . SS & C Blue Prism provides leading enterprise intelligent automation technology worldwide . It empowers customers to reimagine how work gets done with a secure and scalable intelligent digital workforce . A digital workforce increases efficiency , reduces operating costs , and returns millions of hours to staff to focus on the things that matter most .
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