Digital Transformation is nothing new, for decades now technology is more and more entering the workplace, and due to this, changing it. Thanks to faster internet, we can connect more algorithms and sensors, to accelerate this development. Important today is the "Human Transformation", we have to foster human skills and values to avoid that the technology changes humans to robots. Companies will sell less products, but more services, so customer services has to be fostered, including direct channels to the potential customers.

Also agree with Patrick Henz in that digital transformation has been around for as long as digital technologies, but recent technological advancements have led it to spread aggressively.

I think another key point is that lately it has become a popular buzzword, being used as a euphemism for any technology driven modernization within a company, in some cases, even something as basic as a software system upgrade.

In my opinion, businesses today need to start their digital transformation with a sound technology and infrastructure strategy. If your business doesn't have a fiber internet connection with a "higher than entry level" router/firewall, that is where you need to start the transformation. There will be many simultaneous projects that will need to happen throughout the digital transformation.

How does your website look? Interact? Do you have chatbots? AI?

Content your organization is putting out - White papers? Social (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc...) Content

Internal Systems and Processes - How are you talking to your employees? Have your transformed digitally in your internal channels?

Internally are you using collaboration tools like Teams? Zoom? Unified Communications Platforms that allow employees to talk to internal and external customers from where ever they are via mobile apps etc...?

How are you collaborating and working with customers and prospects? Again, are you using collaboration tools such as MS Teams or Zoom for example? Is your team presenting over these tools and being professional, similar to face to face meetings? This is the new normal.

Lastly, how are you protecting your company's data and the data of your clients? Are you using cloud? Are you still using onsite data back-up? Are you afraid to move to a Cloud environment? Do you realize if you are using Office 365 then you are already using Cloud?

If you have questions or want more information on how your company can transform digitally just reach out, I would be happy to share any additional insights or help however I can!

In my opinion companies must start with making a sincere and honest assessment of how well they are fulfulling the needs of their customers, how much value they are bringing to them. Then analyzing which processes need to change to improve in order to do it better, and finally explore and choose which technologies best enable those changes. Technology does not perform, it is people who make things happen. With technology or without.

Also, commenting on the Interesting points of Patrick Henz and Paolo Beffagnotti... in my opinion, the very important difference between previous Transformation cycles and the current one (DX-Digtial Transformation) is that the former were all originated from the companies, based on plans to build new capacities to be offered to the market. In seach of new advantages, new services, cost optimization and several other company-centered needs.
In contrast, DX is originated from the market, from consumers, due to the adoption of mobile and connected services at scale, which have created new preferences and expectations in them, and thus force companies to react in order to keep relevant. That is the main challenge. Companies are used to setting the pace of change for the market to adopt. Now the market is setting the pace, a very fast pace, unplanned for companies. and making them face very difficult hudles to adopt. That's the difference.

Developing a comprehensive digital platform is a challenge for many middle market companies, for effectively utilizing technology to strengthen the customer experience, it must consider how innovation can enhance  sales efforts in two key areas: cultivating existing customer relationships and attracting new customers. Which need to look inward and ask questions about current strategy from both perspectives and determine how to shape it moving forward.