How is decision-making shaped by digital transformation?

What is driving digital transformation right now and what does this mean for companies operating in this increasingly complex business environment? We will also look at how these forces shape day-to-day decision-making, collaboration, and overall business strategy for businesses of all sizes and industries.

According to Gartner, top strategic technology trends for 2024 include continuous threat exposure management, sustainable technology, and generative AI, which help brands drive growth and efficiency. They also allow companies to promote change, rather than passively react to it. Gartner analysts also predict that by 2028, 75% of software engineers will incorporate the use of AI coding assistants into their routines, a big jump from 10% in 2023. Eventually, businesses are beginning to realize that investing in these solutions allows them to move quickly. Flexibility also requires a new mindset, otherwise businesses will lose momentum and fall behind. A CIO article states that IT needs to move faster and adopt agile principles to keep up with constant change and adopt the level of flexibility needed to thrive in the face of uncertainty.

Customer demands continue to grow. We have been reporting this fact for a decade, and yet rising customer expectations make their way onto trend lists and analysts’ forecasts year after year. What is different this time is that expectations have changed direction. Today’s customers want different things than in 2019. Customers want smarter, more complex products that deliver better experiences or help them solve their own challenges. Therefore, businesses need to adopt automation or AI analytics to meet these new expectations. A CIO article advises business leaders to redesign business models, products, and services around customer outcomes. For example, how could adopting automation or integrating Power BI into your ERP solution support customer centricity – either directly (better products or more self-service options) or indirectly by helping employees work faster, creating more value for end consumers?

If you ignore employee experience, you will surely fall victim to the current labor shortage. Right now, employees have more influence than ever before. Talented employees know they can find a job that pays more and allows them to work on their own terms. Think about how companies approach the return to the office if they do it at all. Many workers prefer to work from home because it allows them greater autonomy and flexibility and, in many cases, allows them to get more done.

Some of these changes have actually been particularly good for businesses and their customers. Consider access to more data that could be used to improve products, services, and experiences. Or the ability to connect with more people or participate in events they might not otherwise be able to attend. Instead, businesses need to be more careful about the kinds of experiences that technology can create. How can technology investments help you create new experiences?

Finally, concerns about climate change and new environmental policies/regulations are now part of the digital transformation debate. Organizations rely on technology to reduce emissions, source more sustainable materials, identify opportunities, use alternative energy sources or partner with local suppliers in the regions where they operate. Businesses are looking for advanced cloud-based analytics platforms to monitor and measure emissions targets and optimize supply chains for sustainability.