While going digital seems pretty straightforward, it’s actually not as simple as you may think. In fact, it’s got plenty of potential downsides that might not be immediately apparent but could cost you if you don’t pay attention to them. Here are five tips for going digital that you need to know before jumping in headfirst.
1) Develop a culture of adaptability
To adapt means to change in order to deal with a new situation or condition. The more digitally connected people become, the less they have time and patience for those who don’t play ball. Organizations that aren’t up-to-date are already being left behind by their competitors. In many ways, technology serves as an equalizer. Businesses of all sizes can now engage with customers around the globe on a scale not previously possible, but there’s a catch. Digital also allows small companies and startups easy access to customers right next door. If you’re slow in adapting, you’ll be even slower going forward. Start moving quickly now or risk falling behind your competition.
2) Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset
A key trait of successful entrepreneurs is an ability to learn new things quickly. The tech space changes almost daily, and if you want your business to remain relevant, you need a culture that adapts quickly. Find ways to make change in your organization part of your culture, so that everyone has a sense of urgency when it comes to being on top of technological trends. This will help ensure that you’re not only able to adapt but also speed up your time frame when making changes within your business. It’s important to note that no matter how fast-paced your industry is, it can always be faster. For example, consider holding hack days or inviting experts to share their knowledge with your team members.
3) Leverage social media for your business
Start by setting up a profile on all of your relevant social media sites. This can be done manually or with a simple tool. Keep your profiles up-to-date, and try posting regularly; schedule once per day if you can’t manage more than that. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of posts; see what kind of response you get from other users, and build upon those results. For example, one company may find that customers are most responsive when they post about new products or upcoming deals,these kinds of posts may attract new followers as well as drive in sales.
4) Integrate digital into your workflow
To make digital a natural part of your business, you need to integrate it into all your different workflow. First, determine how you want to use technology in your business and what tools are best suited for each task. Then, make sure that every part of your business from email communications with clients and vendors, to project management and time tracking isn’t just efficient but also can be done digitally. Remember: if something doesn’t have a digital tool specifically built for it, there may be an existing online application that will work just as well.
5) Don’t forget to use analytics
It’s unlikely we’ll ever go all digital, and we don’t need to in order to benefit from its many benefits. Technology can improve our lives, but it must be a tool not a master. It has become integral in society today, but we should never forget its role as a tool. The right technology will make your life easier much easier than it would be without that technology. But it doesn’t do that by magic; you still have to make conscious choices about how you want to use that technology and how you want your business to use technology. If we do that well, then technology can help us achieve greatness!
Conclusion
By following the these above tips for going digital, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a digital-savvy professional. Remember that technology isn’t something that will happen to you. It’s something that you need to embrace and use in order to stay relevant and competitive in today’s business world.
Infographic created by
Donnelley Financial Solutions, a shareholder software company
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