Fortitude in the Face of Disruption
The 2021 State of Digital Transformation report explores how digital leaders have built a foundation for resiliency in the face of a global pandemic and ways they are accelerating digital transformation across the enterprise. We’ve broken-down the report into a three-part series to share key findings and messages with this first part focusing on fortitude in the face of disruption.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of society. No person, company or institution is immune - organisations of all shapes and sizes were dealt serious blows to their business, employees and stakeholders. The lifeline has been and will continue to be technology.
From deploying a completely remote workforce to engaging customers via contactless delivery, digital leaders better absorbed the initial shocks of the pandemic. They pivoted their strategy and accelerated their transformation. In fact, many digital leaders not only survived, they thrived—taking advantage of opportunities with new business models fuelled by technology and capturing market share with innovative ways of working.
There is a direct connection between success during the crisis and the maturity of an organization's digital transformation before the pandemic. At the centre of the acceleration is technology. However, digital leaders understand that technology is only part of the equation, the enabler for speed and agility. Successful digital transformation requires cultural shifts that facilitate new ways of thinking, working and problem-solving.
Attributes of Digital Leaders
COVID-19 unleashed unprecedented disruption. Maintaining business continuity has been critical for companies during the pandemic. Digital leaders were better equipped to stabilise the business, then quickly pivot and enable the business to take advantage of new market opportunities. Many attributes make digital leaders successful, but a few aspects of their digital transformation strategies give them an edge over the digital laggards.
- Leverage the technologies that enable transformation for their business.
- Accept and leverage differences to create growth and opportunities.
- Take bold action and invest in digital solutions in the face of disruption.
Drawing a Difference in Digital: Leaders VS. Laggards
The report analyses digital leaders versus digital laggards to uncover opportunities and achievement gaps so companies can navigate their own digital evolution. In the report, digital leaders are defined as companies with a mature digital transformation plan where digital processes and mindsets are ingrained in the DNA of the organisation. Digital laggards are defined as companies with tentative plans and limited digital transformation initiatives and investments in place.
This research explores what digital leaders are doing to transform their business and innovate while delivering on the outcomes that create value for their customers. It explores how organisations are leveraging technology to achieve digital business and provide recommendations that will lead to digital transformation success.
Stay tuned for our next part in the series, Customers Co-Create the Vision.
To read the full State of Digital Transformation report, click here.
About the research
TEKsystems conducted an online survey from November to December 2020 with more than 900 technology and business decision-makers in North America. Respondents included members of the C-suite, company executives, vice presidents, directors and managers who have final decision-making authority and/or influence on their organisation’s digital transformation efforts. The sample includes a balance of decision-makers in enterprise IT and line-of-business functions across a broad spectrum of industries.