The importance of Digital Transformation is comprehensive. Many software companies can list hundreds of benefits and highlight how exactly they can improve your business. However, nothing speaks louder than real examples of this innovation in other organisations. Now, before we go further, let’s make sure we stand on the same grounds when we use the ‘Digital Transformation’ term.
What exactly we mean by Digital Transformation?
At Allsop, we understand Digital Transformation as the process of using digital technologies to create new or modify existing, business processes, culture and customer experiences, to meet changing business and market requirements.
It is a “reimagining of business in the digital age”.
Put simply, it is about looking at what we want to do or are currently doing and seeking to improve that experience using digital technology.
And this is also the why – “seeking to improve”.
You should not do Digital Transformation just because you think you need to appear modern or because someone else is doing it, and you need to stay competitive. These can be valid reasons, but the primary goal of any Digital Transformation project should be to improve – whether that be your processes, your customers, or our planet.
Let’s check these examples that are commonplace for most people nowadays:
– eCommerce – allowing buyers to browse and shop items any time, from anywhere
– Online banking – from day-to-day banking to applying for loans and mortgages, all without stepping foot in a branch
– Streaming services – be it music, TV shows or movies – are all instant and available for rental or purchase
These industries have all been disrupted by Digital Transformation. However, they always provide clear improvements for customers allowing them to get what they need from the comfort of their homes. Usually by giving more choice or lower-cost offerings than traditional methods.
Let’s find out how some companies similar to you managed to succeed in Digital Transformation and how you can learn from it.
3 Successful Digital Transformation Stories
We have identified 3 businesses that successfully implemented Digital Transformation and now benefit from it daily:
- Starbucks
- McDonald’s
- Walmart
1. Revolutionised Customer Experience from Starbucks
Starbucks was founded in 1971. From the beginning, the company was interested in the latest innovation and was always curious about implementing them for their Customers’ benefit. AI-powered personalised product offerings and discounts, mobile ordering and loyalty programmes.
Why is it a successful Digital Transformation approach?
During the pandemic, when many businesses couldn’t offer their services and products to their customers, Starbucks utilised their online ordering system and continued their services by delivering products directly to customers’ homes.
What can you take away from it?
Whilst Digital Transformation sounds like a scary and never-ending process, you can still find aspects of your business that you can improve as you go. Do you want to retain your customers? Consider a loyalty programme with different discounts, benefits and referral schemes. It will give your customers a feel of personalised attention from your business, which helps to keep your previous and attract new customers into the business.
2. Unbiased Voicebot Experience with McDonald’s
Although McDonald’s pioneered the fast-food industry and drive-thru experience for their customers, they continue to put digitalisation into their work in the Digital age.
Back in 2014, the company created a Digital Innovation team that committed to the 3 D’s principle – Digital, Delivery and Drive-Thru. For example, McDonald’s is rolling out innovations in their drive-throughs, including taking orders through a Voicebot and using AI to predict customer’s orders by scanning car registration plates.
You might wonder how their Digital Transformation experience can align with your business?
Voicebot capabilities are enormous today – you can improve your customer experience or even power up your recruitment! McDonald’s introduced Voice automated application process to allow candidates to fill any job form through a Voicebot. This digitalisation makes your recruitment unbiased and provides an equal experience to any candidate.
3. Data-driven Walmart Strategy
Today, many traditional retailers have tight competition with such giants as Amazon since online shopping became our everyday fling. Therefore, Walmart came up with a digital initiative and transformed into a data-driven business with a firm emphasis on analytics.
Why is it a successful Digital Transformation approach?
Today, Walmart uses Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for everything that is connected to the customers and their experience. They track customer behaviour and understand the changing trends of shoppers to propose those products their customers are interested in. On top of it, Walmart can manage its supply chain through Big Data by ensuring the right products are at the right place at the right time.
What can you take away from it?
If your business has numerous locations and you want to see how they perform, what your customers prefer to buy and which products are not so popular, you might need to consider Data-driven software. At Allsop, we built a software platform with Predictive Analytics that can help you to understand why clients leave your company and how you can predict it as well as when is another pick season and what products you must have in stock.
If this is something your business is interested in, chat with us to see if and how you can benefit from it.
