Developing and establishing a digital culture in companies is one of the most important things to consider in this technological era. Investing in solutions will go nowhere if you don’t cultivate a cultural change that involves all areas of the organization. Read on to learn how to implement positive mechanisms for your company to achieve a digital culture.
Digital transformation or cultural transformation of organizations?
For many companies and individuals, digital transformation has meant upgrading business systems, equipment and tools and investing in acquiring technology trends.
However, many of them, despite having invested in new innovations, have not been able to meet the expectations set for this process. The main reason for this is that technological implementation is not enough. Digital transformation is a cultural rather than a technological change.
These two aspects go hand in hand and cannot and should not be separated, but their concrete definition is not the same. Digital transformation implies an evolution of the company culture, the change as a concept must be understood, accepted and integrated into the values.
Digital transformation must take place at all levels and aspects of the organization, including the workforce, in order to project long-term results.
It is the members of the company that affect, positively or negatively, the organization. We can’t say we are digital if we don’t adhere to the core values of digital. If leaders and managers don’t support this change, this digitalization will come to nothing.
That’s why digital transformation goes further and requires building a culture that supports change and underpins the company’s strategy by engaging its employees, both inside and outside the organization.
What is digital corporate culture?
Digital literacy is an organization’s complete view of technology. Generally speaking, the way people think about and interact with technology, with the aim of improving existing models, processes, structures and systems.
This new corporate culture encompasses the underlying beliefs, assumptions, values, norms, habits, symbols and languages associated with digital and technological tools.
It is essential to focus on the digital culture according to their needs. And the company that has this organizational culture will be characterized by innovation, transparency, connectivity, agility and flexibility.
This culture must be applied from the start and reinforced by a strategy that implements an active dynamic with all members of the company. In other words, this process of adapting to technology must be assimilated and cultivated continuously.
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Dimensions of digital literacy
Digital Commerce
Raising awareness and motivating companies to adapt business models to new digital opportunities and challenges.
Digital vision and leadership (Mindset)
Active involvement of the steering committee, leaders and managers in the digital phenomenon and its integration into the strategic orientation of projects, by adapting technologies to the organization.
Open culture
The idea is to have a large ecosystem to co-create solutions on the fly. Adapt to changes and integrate them into the business.
Data-Drive
Collect data from every business process, analyze and use the information in a cost-effective way to make decisions, identify opportunities and make predictions about the future.
Digital literacy
Learn or update digital skills. Encourage learning and training for the team. Also use social media with awareness of our role as brand ambassadors.
Virtual team
Work in teams and virtual environments. Foster a culture of collaboration and networking across departments and functional areas.
Innovation and experimentation
Integrate innovation and encourage change.
Agility and flexibility
Have a long-term vision and execute it in the short term. Be pragmatic and decisive, but be flexible when it is necessary to adapt.
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Mechanisms of cultural change in companies
Cultural transformation is about improving productivity, results, avoiding mistakes and enhancing successes, but to achieve this, one must be ready and required to structure the following:
- Increase trust between workers and company leaders. This can be achieved through increased communication and reduced control of work. The idea is to give workers flexibility and a vote of confidence that they will do a great job.
- Increase worker participation. Give them the freedom to have a say in everything. Also motivate them to participate in the organization’s activities.
- Be transparent when communicating. Whether in the work environment or with clients, you must communicate with sincerity. There must be consistency between what is said and what is done.
- Finding the purpose. The first step in this new era is to find our purpose, to know the role of the company and to align people and activities with that purpose.
- Encourage learning and invest in training. Today’s trends are changing very quickly and innovations are sometimes more complex. That’s why it’s necessary to update your knowledge and learn how to handle new technologies.
- Evaluate and analyze the results. Information about the current situation is essential to know which way to go. If the results are good, it means we are on the right track; if not, change should be considered.
- Inspire your employees and customers. Like the goal, creating a positive and creative environment will benefit the execution of daily tasks. Business leaders need to be aware of the importance of this and ensure that they are inspiring.
How to create an organizational culture in the digital environment?
To create an organizational culture of digital transformation, three elements are necessary.
- Having a foundation: it is essential to start the process, understand the concepts and have the same vision of the transformation.
- Plan ahead: rapid change is almost never a good thing. As things come, they can go. That’s why it’s good to have a plan and take it one step at a time. It is good to have created a supportive environment and have ambassadors to motivate this change in the company.
- Execute the actions: the company needs to move the non-digital functions and start the process of cultural digitization among employees and customers. Each department must adapt the culture to its environment according to its needs and requirements. This is a never-ending process.
There is no digital transformation of an organization if it is not accompanied by the people who make life within it and lead the change to a digital culture. The benefits of investing in change and nurturing it within the organization will mean evolution and growth.
Count on Gestion Direct for your entire digitization and automation process to achieve digital transformation and improve your productivity, competitiveness and efficiency. Contact us at gestiodirect@gd.eu to request digital plans and solutions for your business.
