Have you ever wondered why nearly everything in the business world seems to exist on a digital platform these days? Is the traditional way of doing things obsolete? Digital has become the new means of getting things done. We are hearing non-stop about big data, digital transformation and more. Everyone wants to go digital but do they actually know how?
It’s true that digital transformation has been changing our lives, with always-on broadband and connected devices making many aspects of it more convenient. Security systems that allow us to monitor our homes from a smartphone are an example of consumer technology that can enhance safety and peace of mind. But if you really need a smartphone app to control your coffee maker, you can have that too. The point is, there are all kinds of ways that we as individuals can benefit from better familiarity with the new digital world around us.
For businesses, going digital means exploring the essence of the innovations and technologies that hold the most promise for pushing our business forward. Finding new possibilities for what exists already can help deliver a better experience for our customers, and ultimately greater returns for the business.
However, first and foremost, the most crucial step is to strategise. But according to the software developer Perfectial.com, only 15% of respondents from companies in the early stages of transforming digitally have a clear strategy in mind.
On the other hand, digitally mature companies that have already transformed their business models and processes show an increase in talent engagement, and more than 80% have clear strategic goals.
In any case, everyone is getting on the digital bandwagon, if the money spent is anything to go by. A survey by Itpro.co.uk estimates that worldwide spending on technologies and services that drive and enable digital transformation will reach US$2 trillion by 2022. Digital transformation is clearly being recognised as a long-term investment for companies.
Given how fast the digital world is progressing, today’s customers have high expectations for the experience delivered by the businesses they deal with. It needs to be as fast, seamless and convenient as the experience delivered by the technologies they use in their personal lives.
In the workplace, employers are seeking new ways to enhance productivity, and digital technology is playing a pivotal role in helping employees become more effective in their primary roles.
It is critical to create an environment that allows employees to achieve; enabling remote working with access to the necessary technology and services on demand is one good solution. While many of us feel that technological innovations are leading to more disruption, which can have negative connotations, these same innovations can be a force for positive change when used to their optimum potential. In the end, organisational culture and mindsets are the single most important enabler, and inhibitor, of digital transformation.
Businesses and individuals alike really need to dig deeper and figure out the pros and cons of these developments as well as the value they will bring to the organisation. For instance, managing document-based communication is a challenge for every business. But technology has made it much easier to manage, search and track essential business “paperwork” compared with two or three decades ago. Businesses are now able to stay ahead of the curve and make themselves more easily available to partners, customers and other relevant stakeholders.
A key part of digital transformation involves ensuring that your employees are aware of the digital tools available to help them work smarter, and are trained to use them to their utmost potential. That’s why SEAC has partnered with Simplilearn, one of the world’s leading certification training providers, to help businesses achieve their digital goals.
Simplilearn transforms lives by empowering people through digital skills. Many businesses realise that their staff must be upskilled in areas ranging from data analysis to working with artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, analytics, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), agile thinking and a lot more in order to help them stay relevant.
Our partnership with Simplilearn is grounded in a commitment to make world-class future skills readily accessible and affordable for Thais. Together, we will be presenting Simplilearn courses such as DevOps, Digital Marketing Advanced SEO, Agile Scrum Master, Apache Kafka, Apache Cassandra, Apache Spark & Scala, Machine Learning, Power BI and Data Science through three channels: online classes on the YourNextU learning module; labs and live virtual sessions by Simplilearn experts with Thai subtitles; and customised solutions for each business with different needs.
As the disruption era gathers momentum, we cannot emphasise enough that Thai people must be equipped with Digital Skills 4.0, and they can begin the journey to reskill and upskill today.
Arinya Talerngsri is Chief Capability Officer and Managing Director at SEAC - Southeast Asia’s Lifelong Learning Center. She can be reached by email at arinya_t@seasiacenter.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/arinya-talerngsri-53b81aa. Explore and experience our lifelong learning ecosystem today at https://www.yournextu.com