Change is hard. And wrapping your head around a term like Digital Disruption just sounds painful. It’s understandable that managers sweat and struggle with what it actually means and whether they’re going to be opening the door to chaos if they start asking questions. My computer starting overheating as I was typing that.
Digital Disruption simply means adjusting your company’s strategy by implementing new or improved digital tools to drive innovation that will serve your customer’s needs better. Digital technology is used in every department of a business. It can transform a company or incrementally modify it by shining a light on which opportunities to pursue and which initiatives to prioritize. But it always comes down to the wants and needs of your customers.
The disruption is more comprehensive and far-reaching than ever before. Consider what the new normal is – self-driving cars, 3D printers, Airbnb, drones, Zoom, Netflix, online news and media, craft beer…and the list goes on. Almost all industry sectors have experienced digital disruption radically or subtly.
If you are feeling unready to help your company navigate change in this new world, you’re not alone. No matter the age or size, most businesses are beginning to see, that they can’t ignore new and changing technologies in order to gain a sustainable competitive edge. However, embracing digital tools and communication trends doesn’t have to be about the latest, most radical innovations. It’s really just about equipping your team with the knowledge that they need to build a digital road map that makes sense for your business and your customers. Balancing the fear and anxiety of change with the eagerness for new opportunities can prepare your people to better drive your agenda forward.
Sometimes the challenge is to just look at your business from a different point of view while staying true to your brand’s identity and core values. Disruption is an opportunity to rethink and retool your business, using digital to find new forms of consumer engagement.
