5 reasons why you need a people-first digital transformation strategy

WalkMe Team
By WalkMe Team
Updated May 2, 2023

It’s no longer a secret that digital transformation plays a huge role in helping your business stay competitive. However, to truly capture the advantages of the digital age and increase ROI, your digital strategy must focus on people first.

It’s essential to prioritize team member needs, understand customer needs, anticipate trends – and harness those insights to create meaningful products and services that attract users and drive revenue.

That’s why developing a thoughtful people-first approach is so important for digital transformation strategies. In this article, we’ll outline five reasons why it matters most.

What is people-first digital transformation?

People-first digital transformation

People-first digital transformation is a revolutionary concept that approaches digital technology from the perspective of human impact and potential benefit.

Companies implementing digital transformations to improve operations, customer service, and overall value are beginning to focus their efforts on maximizing opportunities that digital solutions bring for people rather than just digital systems themselves.

This means both creating an environment where digital services can be used in a way that makes life easier and more productive, as well as preparing digital solutions with the user experience in mind.

People-first digital transformation reflects an understanding that digital is about far more than efficient machines, but rather about using technology to advance humanity. And, often, adopting a human-centric approach requires a significant cultural change (and it’s a worthy investment).

Why putting people first is the key to organizational success

The primary factor in the success of any business is its people. There is no digital transformation that can take place and be effective without having a knowledgeable and committed team in place to drive innovation and progress forward.

People think strategically, provide fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box solutions that enable digital transformation to occur organically, resulting in positive, lasting change.

Business managers must recognize the value of people, empower them with meaningful digital workflows that meet their needs for digital transformation projects to be successful.

5 reasons to adopt a people-first digital transformation strategy

5 reasons to adopt a people-first digital transformation strategy

Now that we’ve defined why people-first is vital for business, let’s dive into five core reasons to apply it to your digital transformation strategy:

1. Improved customer experiences 

One of the primary benefits of a people-first digital transformation is that it can lead to improved customer experiences (CX). In today’s digital world, customers expect companies to provide seamless, personalized experiences that are available 24/7. By putting people at the center of your digital transformation, you can ensure that the customer experiences you are providing meet these expectations.

2. Increased employee engagement 

Another benefit of a people-first digital transformation is increased employee engagement. When employees are engaged, they are more likely to be productive and motivated. Additionally, engaged employees are more likely to stay with a company for the long term. A people-first digital transformation can help to increase employee engagement by making sure that employees have the tools and resources they need to be successful.

3. Improved business processes 

A people-first digital transformation can also lead to improved business processes and, ultimately, services. By digitizing manual processes and automating repetitive tasks, you can free up your employees’ time so that they can concentrate on more strategic tasks. Additionally, digitizing your processes can help to improve data integrity along with organizational efficiency.

4. Greater insights 

A people-first digital transformation can also give you greater insights into your business. By collecting data from across your organization, you can gain a better understanding of what is working well and what needs improvement. Additionally, data analytics can help you to identify trends and patterns that could impact your business services in the future.

5. Increased competitive advantage 

Finally, investing in a people-first digital transformation can help to increase your competitive advantage in the market. In today’s digital world, companies that are able to effectively leverage technology will have a leg up on their competition. By putting people at the center of your digital transformation, you can ensure that you are making the most of new technologies and staying ahead of the curve.

How to get started with people-first digital transformation

Organizations looking to succeed in digital transformation must ensure that their people come first. After all, digital transformation is about departing from traditional ways and leveraging digital technology to create smarter solutions for customers.

To get started with digital transformation, it’s critical to have the right team in place – one equipped with the skill sets and attitude necessary to generate change and make the transition as smooth as possible. 

This requires not only structuring roles in a new way but also instituting a culture which values collaboration, encourages learning, and prioritizes growth over perfection.

Additionally, digital transformation should be seen as an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Every organization should strive to embed digital practices into every inch of their business operations in order to foster an innovative mindset that remains successful over time.

By beginning with people-first digital transformation, organizations will be well on their way to achieving tremendous success through digital understanding and implementation.

The ultimate tool for implementing digital transformation strategies

Digital adoption platforms (DAP) are revolutionizing the way businesses approach digital transformation. They put people first by simplifying the task of equipping employees and customers with the tools they need to make the transition to a digitally driven organization as seamless and hassle-free as possible.

By leveraging DAP, there is improved usability and deep data insights, driving faster adoption rates, increased satisfaction and ultimately enhanced efficiency throughout a business. Companies that leverage a digital adoption platform can take full advantage of modern technology to drive unprecedented levels of user experience, convenience and value in the digital space.

Learn why WalkMe’s Digital Adoption Platform remains the leading enterprise solution for digital transformation.

Conclusion

Digital transformation is all about departing from traditional ways and leveraging digital technology to create smarter solutions for customers. To get started with digital transformation, it’s critical to have the right team in place – one equipped with the skill sets and attitude necessary to generate change and make the transition as smooth as possible. Additionally, digital transformation should be seen as an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

Businesses should strive to embed digital practices into every inch of their business operations in order to foster an innovative mindset that remains successful over time. By beginning with people-first digital transformation, organizations will be well on their way to achieving tremendously positive results through digital understanding and implementation.

5 reasons to adopt a people-first digital transformation strategy

Key takeaways

  • Digital transformation helps your business remain competitive
  • A human-centric approach ensures you meet rising employee and customer expectations 
  • Good user experiences drive business outcomes
  • People-first digital transformation boosts employee retention and engagement
  • Improved business processes mean better organizational efficiency
  • By focusing on your people, whether employees or customers, you can gain insights into both what is helping and hurting your business
WalkMe Team
By WalkMe Team
WalkMe pioneered the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) for organizations to utilize the full potential of their digital assets. Using artificial intelligence, machine learning and contextual guidance, WalkMe adds a dynamic user interface layer to raise the digital literacy of all users.