{"id":8912,"date":"2022-03-09T04:23:57","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T09:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=8912"},"modified":"2026-02-12T04:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:30:31","slug":"how-to-take-the-fear-out-of-digital-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-take-the-fear-out-of-digital-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Leaders &#8211; here\u2019s how to take the fear out of digital transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLeaders &#8211; here\u2019s how to take the fear out of digital transformation\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-03-09T04:23:57-05:00\">March 9, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Leaders &#8211; here\u2019s how to take the fear out of digital transformation\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/how-to-take-the-fear-out-of-digital-transformation\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/kellyhummel\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"36\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Kelly-Hummel.png\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Kelly Hummel<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-if-you-re-reading-this-you-ve-already-heard-the-words-digital-transformation-somewhere\">If you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019ve already heard the words \u2018digital transformation\u2019 somewhere.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, this refers to the adoption of digital technology by an organization with the aim of improving efficiency, adding value, and driving innovation across the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Change in any organization tends to create a sense of resistance and or fear\u2014we\u2019re only human, and change can be scary. But it doesn\u2019t have to be. As a business leader, your approach to the human side of the process could make or break a digital transformation project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every organization moves at Its own speed when it comes to rolling out new tech. An organization\u2019s digital transformation strategy is a plan of action to reposition itself in the digital economy. Like the world we live in, customer habits are always evolving\u2014so too should the way companies operate if they want to keep people engaged and stay successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-getting-human-buy-in-for-digital-transformation\">Getting human buy-in for digital transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Winning businesses innovate, tapping into emerging technology to change the way we work. But you for a truly successful transformation, you need buy-in from the top down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get your organization team on board with some education around adopting emerging technologies. This will help propel them into action through adoption, and the kind of creative thinking this enables will produce wins for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-using-a-practical-example-starbucks\">Using a practical example: Starbucks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To help your co-workers understand the need for innovation, take a practical approach using examples like a visit to Starbucks, buying groceries, or fueling up a car. Most people don\u2019t actually realize that they\u2019re interacting daily with BOT\u2019s that use RPA, ML and AI, paying with NFC, and doing so from the Digital Operating Platform (DOP) that they hold in their hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wait-a-minute-what-does-all-that-mean\">Wait a minute. What does all that mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>That is a pretty wordy statement, so let\u2019s break it down, using the Starbucks app as an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A BOT is a software program that performs repetitive tasks. BOTs are used to take orders, such as an order for Starbucks that we place on our phone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Through AI\u2014Artificial Intelligence\u2014the BOT may also suggest or ask if you want to order something additional such as \u201cEgg bites are frequently ordered with this coffee, would you like to add them to your order?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Through ML (machine learning), the BOT might say \u201cLast time you purchased a croissant, would you like to add this to your order?\u201d\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By answering yes to one of these questions, fellow co-workers navigate through their Starbuck\u2019s app faster, place their order more efficiently, and are happy as an end user.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Starbucks benefits from the upsell of additional products, the reduced need of staff to take orders from customers in line, decreasing the time taken for each order, and allowing for fulfilment and customer experience to be increased.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most users will check out of the app on their phone or another DOP and pay in advance using Near Field Communication (NFC), to pay through Apple Pay, Google Pay or any equivalent method.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask your team to use personal buying experiences\u2014like the one above\u2014to relate back to your organization\u2019s customer buying experience, and how it can be improved through technology. That\u2019s the key to building understanding of the tech, the benefits it might have on them, and the direct correlation it might have on your customers. And that understanding is what squashes fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dream-it-then-do-it\">Dream it, then do it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting staff to envision better, more efficient ways of working in a similar way will help propel your business forward with your digital transformation projects, no matter the size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hardest part? Getting everyone in the organization comfortable with the shift in thought processes, and the change in processes. The move from the way things have been done for years to a more efficient, happier place to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine if Alexa was linked or integrated to your inventory system and could tell you what to reorder, and when. Imagine if your system automatically routed electronic invoices for payments larger than $5,000 to the CFO, and those over $10,000 to the CEO for approval. Think of an office where file cabinets don\u2019t take up floor space, and everything is stored in a secure system available for your colleagues to check out, anywhere, any time, and on any device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the items imagined above are already reality thanks to the kind of emerging technology we\u2019ve mentioned. Skilled implementation partners can get things rolled out efficiently, no problem. It\u2019s the human element that\u2019s truly complex; getting employees to believe and strive for the unfamiliar is the hardest thing your company will have to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that during the pandemic, digital transformation initiatives led, on average, to a 14% financial uplift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Empowering people with the knowledge they need to use emerging technologies is paying off in a big way for those organizations investing in digital strategies. That covers everything from taking manual administrative tasks and automating them to free up valuable resources, to streamlining processes that create more time to be spent on strategic activities, like revenue generation and cost mitigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Above all, it gives employees something priceless: the sense of empowerment and self-worth that comes with knowing they can use technology to amplify their impact on your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Want to know more about how to help your employees embrace digital transformation? Join me for my next webinar on <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netatwork.com\/online-emails\/sage-demystifying-cloud-confusion\/\"><strong><em>Demystifying the Cloud\u2014The Human Side of Digital Transformation<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em> on March 23 at 2 PM EST. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019ve already heard the words \u2018digital transformation\u2019 somewhere. In a nutshell, this refers to the adoption of digital technology by an organization with the aim of improving efficiency, adding value, and driving innovation across the business. Change in any organization tends to create a sense of resistance and or fear\u2014we\u2019re only [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1345,"featured_media":9205,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,49],"tags":[334,4,346,304],"business_type":[40,41],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[204],"persona":[],"imagine_tag":[222,209],"coauthors":[817],"class_list":["post-8912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","category-trends-insights","tag-automation","tag-business-intelligence","tag-cloud-technology","tag-digital-transformation","business_type-small-business","business_type-growing-business","industry-technology"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Kelly Hummel","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-960890176.jpg","imagine_tags":{"222":"Accountants","209":"Accounting"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1345"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34781,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8912\/revisions\/34781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/9205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=8912"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=8912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}