The power of a digital transformation strategy lies in its scope and objectives. Less digitally mature organisations tend to focus on individual technologies and have strategies that are decidedly operational in focus. Geoff Nell, co-founder of Metatrans Business Services, discusses how companies in South Africa have adapted to a disruptive workplace.
ITWeb: How far along the road of digital transformation is South Africa, and what in your opinion do we need to do to get ahead and stay ahead?
Nel: The business world is rapidly digitising, breaking down industry barriers and creating new opportunities while destroying long-successful business models, a process commonly referred to as digital disruption. Digital disruption is causing a lot of turmoil, as companies need to constantly evaluate the threats and opportunities and adapt to, or prepare for new business options for the future.
What we are seeing in South Africa is that some business are adopting a 'wait-and-see approach', while other businesses are transforming parts of the business, focusing on efficiencies, customer service and innovation, many businesses confuse digital transformation as a technology focus when in fact it is the transformation of strategies, business models, structures, culture and processes using technology as the enabler.
Many of the business processes and management practices employed by large, stable businesses were formulated in the industrial age and are still in use by companies today. This approach worked well where businesses operated in stable environmental conditions and where the pace of change was slow or incremental at best. However, this model is increasingly inadequate in the e-business era that is often characterised by an increasing pace of radical and unforeseen change in the business environment.
ITWeb: Your role at Metatrans Business Service is focused on digital transformation and innovation - is your role focused on Metatrans's transformation, that of your clients or both? And what would you say are the key questions you get asked when presenting your ideas to clients and or internally?
Nell: I focus on both. Internally we have to keep up with the latest trends and the various challenges in the South African landscape. Any company that thinks they have found the 'secret sauce' and stops adapting and transforming has already failed.
There are huge shifts going on in the business landscape at the moment where companies are fighting for market share and to stay relevant. Businesses we are working with are relooking at their business models for growth opportunities, automation, mobility, efficiencies and analytics.
Often when we first engage with a business there is a lot of discussion around whether they could be disrupted or whether it is just a lot of hype; what is happening across industries; and how innovation in one industry can cross over into another. Initially some clients are resistant to new ways of working, worried about the costs of transforming and concerned about how jobs may be impacted. However, digital transformation can be done in a way that ignites passion in the business leaders and creates momentum for action. It is possible to do this without tremendous expense.
ITWeb: What would you say are the three key benefits and three key challenges that most companies experience on their journey to digital transformation?
Nell: These results are based on a survey recently completed with South African companies undergoing digital transformation. However this is not really a one-size-fits-all. It completely depends on the reasons a company starts the digital transformation journey. Challenges: organisational culture; resistance to change and competing priorities. Benefits: better customer experience; more collaborative and more agile.
ITWeb: Why did you say yes to presenting at the upcoming Digital Economy Summit? What is it that you bring to the table and what do you want attendees to take away with them after your presentation?
Nell: I am extremely passionate about educating and challenging people and companies to look at the future differently, to keep learning, and to keep adapting.
I believe that we are moving away from traditional ways of working and that in order for businesses to survive and thrive they need to start thinking about different ways of doing things.
Sometimes people think there is a lot of hype and that they have time to change later. We are all struck by flying cars and robots and machine learning, but fail to see the dangers and opportunities right on our own doorstep. We can right now, as organisations, start preparing by creating an agile, adaptable, responsive business that can be more ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
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