7 Things You Need to Know When Starting a Digital Transformation Initiative
John Mancini

By: John Mancini on March 23rd, 2016

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7 Things You Need to Know When Starting a Digital Transformation Initiative

Intelligent Information Management (IIM)  |  Digital Transformation

#1 -- Know where the puck is going.

Danielle Galmore, Steelcase: “Technology moves faster than companies, as a rule. Be cognizant of what is happening and ready to adjust if new technology or new needs arise. Your first project may have to pivot if too much time has elapsed, and relevancy is lowered.”

#2 – Think business, not fashion.

Paul Engel, VeBridge:  “Not every aspect of digital disruption impacts you or your business.  Spend your money strategically -- and surgically.  Don’t run after every new bright and shiny object out there just because others are doing so. Be thoughtful. Ask the question, ‘Can I leverage this to my company's advantage, or is this just a new bell or whistle?’”

#3 -- Have a Disruption war chest!

Ian Story, IBM: “If you don't have the financial strength to weather changes in your business, you need to start preparing now, while things are still good -- build that war chest or rainy day fund. What are you going to do when an upstart competitor comes in and steals half of your business overnight?"


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#4 -- It's a journey, not a destination. 

Chris McLaughlin, EMC:  "True digital transformation is about instilling a digital mindset in your organization. A truly digital organization embraces change and recognizes that new technologies, new products and services, and new ways of servicing customers are simply opportunities: opportunities to differentiate, to take market share, and to outperform competitors. 

#5 – Keep risk in perspective.

Neale Stidolph, Lockheed-Martin: "Chaos cannot be controlled, information wants to be free, and people don't do what they are told. These are universal truths!  What we can do is explain to everyone that information has issues of sensitivity, risk, regulation, and many other factors. We must all be thoughtful in our treatment of information. We cannot police this whole ecosystem, but we can make people cautious and mindful about it.

#6 – One size does not fit all.

Alan Pelz-Sharpe, Digital Clarity: “Just because technology X works well for Ford or GE does not mean it will work for you. Often times simple, stripped back technology will be a better fit for your needs that broad, complex and expensive technology 'suites.’” 

Rule #7 -- Per Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no try."

Andrea Chiappe, Systemware:  “Remember that in the end, the evolution of ECM isn’t about how we share information now. It’s about brokering that information in the future.  We have to reach outside our traditional information spheres, and re-evaluate our existing processes and solutions.  Hanging on to an aging, bandaged ECM solution can limit the future success of your business strategies. Sometimes we have to let go of our past experiences and embrace the future if we’re to fulfill our information destinies.”

 

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About John Mancini

John Mancini is the President of Content Results, LLC and the Past President of AIIM. He is a well-known author, speaker, and advisor on information management, digital transformation and intelligent automation. John is a frequent keynote speaker and author of more than 30 eBooks on a variety of topics. He can be found on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook as jmancini77. Recent keynote topics include: The Stairway to Digital Transformation Navigating Disruptive Waters — 4 Things You Need to Know to Build Your Digital Transformation Strategy Getting Ahead of the Digital Transformation Curve Viewing Information Management Through a New Lens Digital Disruption: 6 Strategies to Avoid Being “Blockbustered” Specialties: Keynote speaker and writer on AI, RPA, intelligent Information Management, Intelligent Automation and Digital Transformation. Consensus-building with Boards to create strategic focus, action, and accountability. Extensive public speaking and public relations work Conversant and experienced in major technology issues and trends. Expert on inbound and content marketing, particularly in an association environment and on the Hubspot platform. John is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the College of William and Mary, and holds an M.A. in Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.