Equip your employees with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape. This often means providing training and tools for them to succeed.
Digital transformation is on the agenda for many organizations today. New technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics are creating opportunities to work smarter and more efficiently. However, with any major change initiative, people are a critical factor. Without proper employee engagement and training, a digital transformation is likely to fail. Here’s why investing in your people must be a priority.
Why Employee Engagement Matters
Digital transformations require people to work differently. They involve adopting new mindsets, processes, and tools. This level of change can be daunting if employees don’t understand why it’s happening or how it will affect their roles.
That’s why it’s crucial to get buy-in across the organization early on. Employees will be more motivated to embrace changes if they grasp the benefits. Make sure to communicate the following:
- The reasons for the transformation – Connect the dots between broader business objectives and the specific technologies or new ways of working being introduced.
- How it will make employees’ jobs better – Will new systems automate repetitive tasks? Will staff gain skills to advance their careers? Highlight how the changes will make lives easier.
- What’s in it for customers – At the end of the day, digital transformations aim to improve customer experiences. Employees will be inspired knowing they are creating better products, services and interactions.
Beyond communicating “what’s in it for them”, leaders need to actively involve staff in the change process. Digital transformation can’t be done TO employees, it has to be done WITH them. Initiatives like design thinking workshops, pilot programs, and feedback channels give people ownership. They feel heard and can shape solutions to meet their needs. This results in greater adoption down the road.
Why Training is Vital
Even the most willing employees will struggle with change if they aren’t trained properly. Expecting staff to figure out new systems and processes themselves is a recipe for frustration. Adequate training gives them the knowledge and skills to thrive in the future state.
Training should cover three core areas:
- Digital literacy – With so many new digital tools in play, everyone needs baseline technology skills. Training on solutions like cloud platforms, mobile apps, AI, and data dashboards gets the entire organization up to speed.
- New processes – Digital transformation often means new ways of working. Training helps ingrain reinvented processes for activities like customer service, project management, and product development.
- Change management – Beyond technical know-how, employees need help adapting to changes on a human level. Change management training equips them with strategies like active listening, growth mindset thinking, and dealing with uncertainty.
Training should begin early and continue post-launch. A train-the-trainer model also allows super users to support colleagues ongoing. User forums and online resources can make help accessible. And don’t forget about customers; they may need education on new digital capabilities too.
Putting it All Together
Done right, digital transformation turbocharges business performance while also enhancing the employee experience. But none of this happens without people bought into the vision and equipped to carry it out. Investing in employee engagement and training lays that critical foundation. And making it an ongoing priority enables the organization to evolve as new technologies emerge.
Here are some final tips for engaging and training staff through digital transformation:
- Start communication early, be transparent, and give ample opportunities for input.
- Frame changes in terms of employee and customer benefits.
- Involve cross-functional teams in shaping solutions.
- Provide comprehensive training – before, during, and after launch.
- Utilize super users to support and train others.
- Create online resources and help forums.
- Check-in frequently and gather feedback.
- Continuously identify skills gaps and provide targeted development.
With empowered and capable employees, you can build a “digitally fit” organization able to thrive well into the future. The investment will pay dividends through satisfied customers, motivated staff, and lasting business results.
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