For retailers, the shift to digital implies an onboarding of technology tools. When looking, you’ll find there are many solutions available! Sifting through them requires time and effort.
In fact, doing so may not be the right step. Choosing one digital tool after another doesn’t guarantee success. It could even lead to failure. Long-term planning that merely lists the next systems to add misses an important point.
That’s because digital transformation consists of more than simply implementing technology. It involves looking at your organization’s talent pool and tapping into their strengths. It aligns best practices with your company’s overarching objectives. Once that is done, digital tools can be brought in to support the framework.
Here’s what to include in your toolbox to be prepared for a profitable future:
Create Specialized Teams
The best teams have a synergy that leads to higher productivity and more wins. If a group is focused on the customer experience, workers might put themselves in the shoes of consumers. How do they discover the brand? Is it easy to shop online? Do they get contacted after making a purchase?
Another group might listen closely to customers. They’ll reach out to ambassadors and ask them for ideas. How can products be improved? What would be interesting to see in the next five years? How could a new item be promoted?
Data lovers can bond over information strategies. In your organization, this group will help others understand the current state of data. Then they’ll share ideas on how to improve how it is collected and managed. Thanks to this team, your organization can leverage the right data, leading to higher profit margins.
Don’t overlook the importance of an inhouse “think tank.” This idea group will spend part of their working time looking at new gadgets and programs. They’ll think about how these solutions could be implemented and what benefits they would provide for the company.
Gather the Right Members
Of course, a strong team is the result of top-notch players. They’ll have a passion that will drive their work ethic. They’ll be eager to listen to others and collaborate to accomplish goals.
How do you find these players? Start by looking within your organization. Ask workers to fill out a survey that covers their interests. Match individuals who have a knack for organizing large amounts of information with the data team. Or let employees volunteer for groups they find interesting.
Re-Imagine the Budget
Setting an amount that can be used to purchase technology is often limiting. If $20,000 is allocated to new software, how can you tell if new software is really what you need? You could stay within budget and purchase the solution. However, you might find later that the software doesn’t accurately support your framework.
Here’s another way to visit the budget. Begin the discussion without numbers. Instead, ask the groups for their feedback. How do they think customers can best be served? Perhaps a team provides input that shoppers are looking for more live events. Or that customers want to ask questions via video chat. You can use these ideas to see what is needed. Then look at what funds to allocate. Even if there isn’t enough to purchase everything listed, you can choose a starting place.
Building the digital toolbox requires a human connection. Develop teams that love what they are doing and want to push the company in the right direction. Think about how to help your organization reach its goals. Then add in the technology tools that will lead you to a more profitable tomorrow.
