Implementing digital transformation can be daunting for any organisation. Customers have already gone through their own personal digital transformation as technology has entered their lives, and now they have high expectations. A digital partner can help you navigate the process and meet those demands.
Digital transformation software companies provide an ideal solution for businesses with no in-house expertise. They offer a full range of digital transformation solutions including application development, IT modernisation, automation, customer experience strategy, data analytics and employee training.
Despite its name, digital transformation prioritises user experience over technology. Every business has unique requirements, which depend on its goals and its stakeholders’ needs. If you want to offer something fast, focused and timely, you’ll need expert guidance and support from a digital transformation consultancy.
The importance of finding the right digital partner for your organisation
Digital transformation is a journey with people and change at its heart. Unfortunately, people are not always easy with change. That’s why you need a digital partner who understands your customer personas and puts them at the forefront of the process.
Digital transformation software companies may create top-tier applications, but integrating technology across your business is only one aspect of the process. The more challenging part is managing the change in culture. According to global research firm Gartner, only 32% of HR leaders think their company is effective at embedding culture into daily work life. Specialist digital transformation agencies are adept at collaborating, taking the right risks and embedding a positive mindset organisation-wide.
The right digital partner takes time to understand the needs of your stakeholders and make sure they feel involved in rolling out any digital strategy. They know how to get staff and customers on board. And if everyone understands why the change is needed, it’s easier to integrate technology into every area of your organisation.
What to look for in a digital transformation consultancy
The right digital partner will be transparent and flexible. They work within the agreed budget, yet relentlessly innovate and develop high-performing technology, workflows and functionality.
A good digital transformation agency will:
Work SMART
Integrating new technologies and reframing digitisation within a business involves experimentation. Full Fat Things uses specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART) goals to design and implement bespoke digital transformation solutions.
The consultancy should assess your existing systems and use key performance indicators (KPIs) to keep measuring your performance against your goals. This allows businesses to future-proof their systems, functionality and processes while enabling growth and acquisition. If current systems work, they should stay. A skilled agency recognises a good thing when it sees it.
Provide user-centric digital software solutions
A robust and reliable range of technological products makes any digital transformation process go smoothly. These can be out-of-the-box or customised applications, but they should integrate with your existing systems.
For example, we worked with information services company Wolters Kluwerto deliver a suite of product-specific solutions and self-service portals. The goal was to unify their customer products onto one platform. By combining Drupal content platforms and Laravel customer management portals, customers could access their own information, subscriptions and products, as well as buying new products
Have a proven track record
A digital agency is only as good as its clients – expect to see a portfolio of clients and glowing testimonials. They should willingly share the results of their projects and have an active presence on social media. A broad portfolio reveals an ability to adapt to across industries, while a specialist portfolio (finance, charity, healthcare, etc) shows a reassuring level of familiarity and expertise.
They should deliver end-to-end digital transformation solutions, not just one-off digital packages. Look for comprehensive and cross-functional services that completely transform your company from the inside out, starting with a cultural shift.
Reduce risk
Risk management is a significant component of the digital transformation process. Risk comes in different forms; think cybersecurity, data privacy and technological reliability. A reputable agency knows how to scale and protect any technology deployed.
Provide training and guidance
Getting support from all stakeholders is essential in embedding cultural change. Ongoing guidance around best practice and using the new technology empowers teams and helps shape the vision of the business. The best consultancies are on hand to answer queries and provide training and workshops where necessary. Full Fat Things delivered architectural and technical training to Orange when they helped the telecommunications giant migrate to Drupal.
Engaging the services of a digital partner
Try to identify and articulate your needs as much as you can before meeting potential digital partners. Research the reputation and experience of digital transformation software companies before contacting them.
Narrow down a shortlist of agencies whose services, culture and values align with yours to avoid wasting time. Only work with an agency that’s upfront about the potential success rate, costs and timing of your plan.
Are you looking for an agency partner to create maximum digital impact and strengthen customer experiences? Find out how we can help.