Issue link: https://mastery.commandalkon.com/i/1058537
Focus on achieving quick wins: Digital transformation is a long journey, so trying to sprint through it is a recipe for failure (as many companies have painfully learned with "Big Bang" ERP implementations). Identify an opportunity to eliminate waste or replace manual processing with technology that is low risk and requires minimal time, cost, and resources to achieve. Establish metrics and quantify the results. When identifying "quick win" opportunities, also identify the metrics the project will impact, measure the results, and quantify them in dollar terms. This will help you get buy-in from upper management and trading partners for the next project. Identify trusted trading partners that share your vision and commitment to innovate. Digital transformation is not a solo effort; it is a value chain initiative. Not all trading partners will be ready or willing to go on this journey today, but find the ones that share your vision and commitment to change and work with them to identify and execute the quick win opportunities. Find the right people to lead your digital transformation efforts. Change management will be the biggest hurdle to overcome, with many people both internally and externally not willing to part with "the way we've always done things." The right people are those willing to question the status quo and willing to invest their time and energy to identify, plan, and execute appropriate projects to demonstrate the business value. The right people are also great communicators who are able to inspire and persuade their colleagues, upper management, and trading partners to come along on the journey (using the quick wins and quantified results as proof points). Find the right technology partners to help you innovate. Alignment of objectives, culture, and investment priorities are particularly important. Stay informed of technology and industry trends. The pace of change continues to accelerate, so staying informed of the latest industry trends and technology innovations -- and evaluating them against your business objectives and digital transformation efforts -- will be important. Recommendations