Who is responsible for attracting top talent to your
company? Who creates your marketing campaigns and sales strategies? Who
interacts with customers daily? Your employees do. Employees are a company's
lifeblood, yet we often forget what it would be like without them. We forget
that while we have the technology for every task, nothing can replace the human
touch and spirit. And that's why people are driving digital transformation.
Last month I shared my six pillars of digital
transformation. While I said no post is more important than the other, you need
to understand and develop the pillar of the people in your organization if you
want to build the others. Again, leaders must put people first because people
drive digital transformation. Sure, technology is a crucial element for
meaningful digital transformation. Still, without the human element, you'll
quickly realize that technology is just an enabler and not the primary purpose
of digital transformation.
Aside from the notion that you can't run your business
without people, it's important to reiterate that you can't run technology
without people. Even with new technologies such as AI and VR, it will still be
necessary for a person to make changes, install updates on machines or train
others in the correct use of tools for the foreseeable future. Even AI as we
know it is entirely dependent on humans training machines.
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People drive digital transformation: The importance of
people in your company
People are necessary for many aspects of your business.
People can connect on a deeper level. People will always
connect more deeply with other people than with machines. People make the
difference when it comes to the user experience for your customers. They have
emotions and the ability to think and empathize. You cannot wholly replace
human nature with any form of technology. The future will consist of
human-machine partnerships. Man is first for a reason.
People can think critically and creatively. Now more than
ever, your business requires a talent for brain teasers. Titles like Analyst
and Strategist need a human component to be successful. They require critical
thinking and creative skills that technology doesn't have, at least not yet.
Once again, machines will increase the volume of data that can be processed,
but it will require human collaboration to maximize the power of AI and
computers.
People have talent. Not to sound like an after-school
special, but everyone is unique and therefore possesses exceptional skills that
your business needs to thrive. Who will fix this technical error going on in
your new productivity tool? Who makes suggestions for the usability of your
website? The people want.
Throughout the digital transformation process, change needs
to be made and embraced, and that adaptability comes from people who are
committed to your organization's strategy, vision, and culture. In addition,
employees need to feel valued to do their best work. Companies that invest in
their people and are committed to their development build loyal employees. Both
anecdotal and quantitative research has shown that people are a crucial
component of digital transformation in organizations. People who invest in a
business want it to thrive. You want to see your success. They will help you
change.
connection from person to person
I don't need to remind you that we have made strides through
digital transformation technology that will reach new heights. We see them
everywhere. AI, VR and AR are beginning to find their way into our everyday
business. But as exciting as it is, it's important to remember that this
technology should be used as a catalyst for meaningful experiences, not a
substitute for who we are. Technology can create better experiences for
employees and customers while connecting people to people.
There are millions of ways to use the personal approach in
your business. Whether you're using analytics to expedite customer service
while allowing your customers to speak to a human, or creating a seamless online
presence using VR for accessibility, always think about the personal.
