The rapid development in digitalization affects not only our day-to-day lives, but also our worklife, and demands flexibility from us. This is especially true for businesses, because they have to be agile in adapting to changing situations without losing sight of the big picture. That is exactly the challenge: many companies encourage innovative impulses and digitalization, but often only in specific departments. This often leads to expensive patchwork solutions that unnecessarily delay the digitalization process, and ultimately don’t achieve the potential success. There isn’t a master plan for digitalization. There is however a successful methodology to get the digitalization process rolling. The first step is the development of a digital vision, which needs substance, and decision-makers who use courage, foresight and transparency to integrate all parties in a company into the process.

The digital vision is the center of every digital transformation process and the basis for a successful digital strategy. Among the vast possibilities, the main focus is to develop your own vision as precisely as possible and communicate it to the world. A digital vision describes the company’s long-term target and aspiration. Without a system of roads and a map, a driver cannot reach the destination, which is why developing the digital vision is so important. In doing so, think big, incorporate trends and untapped potential when developing this picture.

The people both within and outside the organization must be involved. It is important that an “analog” vision and a “digital” vision do not exist simultaneously. Our experience shows digitalization must be supported by all departments, the entire team, and most importantly encouraged by management.

• Can the digital vision be explained in only a few words and understood by all stakeholders?
• Do the employees feel like they have been involved in the transformation process in a timely manner?
• Will the digital vision be actively embraced by all parties in everyday work?
• Can executives and employees recognize the key elements of the digital vision?

If a company can answer yes to all of these questions, then the digital vision is viable and provides a solid foundation for deriving the (digital) corporate strategy and concrete strategic goals. Just as good tires have an impact on the driving performance of a car, all of these elements play an important role in the successful realization of a digital vision.

By Stefanie Peters,

CEO, enable2grow GmbH

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