Interesting research report from Brian Solis from Altimeter @ Prophet on How People Behind Digital Transformation Lead Change From Within.
“Digital transformation is more of a people problem than a business problem. Trust is the least measurable but most important factor to build.You have to manage resistance to chance alongside business outcomes.Otherwise, you deal with sabotage that undermines your work and the digital transformation seed doesn’t germinate.”
ADRIAN PARKER, VP OF MARKETING ,THE PATRON SPIRITS COMPANY
Report Highlights
- Although digital transformation is one of the biggest trends in business today and companies are investing heavily in new technologies and innovations, many still do so as a grassroots effort driven by resourceful individuals — digital change agents — across the organization.
- Digital change agents are passionate about digital innovations and ardent believers in their potential to help the organization succeed — but they are sometimes reluctant to step into a leadership or change-management role.
- Change agents can rise from anywhere in the organization and often begin as digital advocates — employees who introduce or promote new digital ideas or products — and eventually progress to experienced transformers.
- To garner support across the organization, change agents quickly realize that they must acquire basic change-management skills if they are to secure cross-functional collaboration and leadership support.
- Change agents often take on informal functions — data gatherers and storytellers, influencers and case makers, relationship builders, and champion — to navigate the human aspects of change and digital transformation.
- When trying to rally support for digital transformation initiatives, change agents eventually learn to face detractors and manage behavioral challenges (i.e., managing ego, bias, fear, and self-doubt) in others and themselves.
- Change agents should operate from a strategic manifesto to guide them in their digital transformation efforts, expedite change, and minimize complications and detraction’s.
The Digital Change Agent’s Manifesto
