Why do you think digital transformations fail?

“Digital technology is changing the world in general and the way we work together in particular. But this digital world must be designed from a human perspective. And strangely, this open door is all too often forgotten. From repositioning organisations and revising IT architectures to innovating, developing, and managing applications, people are and always will be at the heart of digitisation.

However, these processes are not as simple as they sound. According to several studies, from McKinsey and IDC, for example, about 70% of digital transformations fail. One reason for this is that these processes aren’t made for humans to work with; they are made to optimise business, but those aren’t one and the same.”

How would you kick-start a successful digital transformation process?

“It is common for organisations to embark on a digital transformation without a clear goal. Whether it is a long-term strategy or a short-term plan, a clearly stated goal prevents hasty decisions. Organisations need to know how technology aligns with their business strategy as well as where they want to go for a successful digital transformation.

To align business and IT and develop a lived strategy, various stakeholders must be consulted. From employees to customers and investors, organisations must leverage their knowledge and insights. Successful digital transformation relies on this. After all, the people who operate in or benefit from the organisation know best how things really work. Employees, customers, and investors are indispensable in the process of digitisation.”

What do customers have to say about your digital transformation process?

“Digital transformations are often focused on improving the customer experience and creating value for customers. The perspective of customers is crucial to understanding the real needs and pain points within the organisation. When a customer's needs and preferences, now and in the future, are not clear, it can lead to failed initiatives. Without their input, transformation initiatives may not address the real issues or may even create new ones.

Successful digital transformation must revolve around customer needs and expectations. This requires collecting and analysing data from a variety of sources, including customer feedback and market research. Failure to prioritise customer needs and feedback leads to solutions that do not address real problems. As a result, the customer experience or user experience deteriorates.”

Besides knowing the people in your organisation, what position should the organisation’s leadership take?

“For a change that affects all levels of an organisation to succeed, strong leadership is needed. Leadership must drive the transformation and provide guidance, support, and resources as needed. Insufficient leadership and poor governance create unclear roles and responsibilities and competing priorities that derail transformation efforts.

Digital transformations are an ongoing journey, not short-lived projects. This must be visible in the leadership and governance of the organisation. This goes together with expressing and taking responsibility, even when things are not going as expected.”

How can you effectively embrace the change that a digital transformation brings to the organisation?

“A digital transformation can create a lot of resistance. It is important to remember that not all stakeholders, like employees or management, can immediately see the potential of a digital transformation. The people of the organisation are used to traditional ways of working and processes of change can raise uncertainties around job security and business continuity. Digital transformations often involve significant changes in organisational structure, processes, and customer relationships.

It is important to show empathy for the uncertainty that a transformation brings. By putting yourself in the position of the people in the organisation, staying aware of what they are experiencing, and acting accordingly, you will make a big difference in resistance to change.”

How does Yuma make sure that a digital transformation is executed successfully?

“At Yuma, we don't just aim for technical upgrades; we want above all to make change meaningful, understandable, and useful for everyone. Digital transformations are not just about deploying technology. They are about using technology to transform the way people work, interact, and collaborate. Herein lies the crux of why a human approach is essential to the success of a digital transformation. The new technologies, processes, and ways of working must make sense to the organisation's employees and customers. From start to finish, people must be consulted and participate in the transformation process. Ultimately, the success of digital transformations depends on cultivating human-centred practices and principles. By embracing the human touch, organisations can harness the full potential of digitalisation. By doing so, they can drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and create lasting value for all stakeholders.”

Yuma puts people at the centre of digital transformation processes because there is no digital transformation without human transformation. In the digital age, you must choose "Digital yet Human." By harmonising people and technology, you implement a digital transformation in a way that really benefits people. Digital transformations need to be relevant and impactful for the people of today and tomorrow. Are you ready to start shaping your business for tomorrow? We are happy to meet you.

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