The Biggest Digital Transformation Must-Haves for 2019

Summary

By Ashley Lipman, Freelance Digital Writer

Just about everything is done digitally nowadays. If your business isn't digital, you’re lagging way behind the competition. If you want to stay above water in today’s ever-changing digital environment, you need to be responsive and adaptive.

There are over 1.95 billion websites on the internet. Many of these websites go unnoticed by their customers simply because there’s so much competition. So what exactly is a digital transformation? It’s the process of taking your daily tasks and business processes and transforming them for the digital age. It can include things like automation, using new software, or even just building a website for your business. It all depends on your unique needs.

Where do you need to focus when it comes to digital transformation? That’s exactly what we’ll uncover in this guide to the biggest digital transformation must-haves for 2019. Let’s get started.

Outsourcing and Remote Work

One of the biggest changes in the digital age is the rise of remote work and outsourcing. As companies look for more ways to grow, they simply need more manpower. That being said, budding companies usually don’t have the budget to bring in additional full-time employees.

That’s where outsourcing comes in. By hiring outside companies, freelancers, and contractors as well as allowing working to go remote, they can get help when they need it only when they need it. This cuts down on costs while also allowing for a new wave of virtual workers.

What makes all of this possible? Digital transformation. Because much of today’s data and tasks are found online and through data services like the cloud, it’s possible for workers to get the job done from anywhere. This is a trend that’s only going to grow, and it means big things for companies and workers alike.

Personalized Marketing

Marketing is no longer one-size-fits-all. In the day of “traditional” marketing like TV, radio, and print, it wasn’t possible to segment your market. You had to market in a general sense, and this wasn’t always effective.

Today, personalization is the name of the game. As more companies have greater access to information and data than ever before, they’re able to directly market to the audience they’re looking for. This has come to be known as “niching down,” and it’s a powerful tool made possible by the digital age.

Did you know that over 78% of consumers will only engage in offers if they have been personalized to their previous brand engagements? This just goes to show how important personalization is in marketing, whether it means focusing on collecting the right data or segmenting your content.

Chatbots

There has been a lot of buzz about chatbots as one of the leading IT service improvements of the past few years. That being said, these chatbots have been slow to launch. They function most of the time, but there are still gaps that need to be bridged before these are ready for an all-out digital transformation.

However, chatbots have recently gone from good to great. Huge steps have been made, and chatbots are smarter than ever before. Now, chatbots are able to do more jobs that would have previously needed to be completed by humans. By the end of 2019, around 40% of large businesses will be expected to have adopted chatbots.

Cyber Security

This wouldn’t be an article about digital transformation without some comments about cyber security. Cyber security is the biggest must-have for not only this year, but also for the future. With new regulations like Euriope’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as well as local laws, we all need to be taking a hands-on role with our own security.

As more and more tasks become automated and streamlined via digital tools, how will we keep these tools safe? It will all come down to putting security first, from logging applications to monitoring software for any breach or signs of problems. The abuse of personal and business data is a real threat, and it just means we need to prioritize security moving forward in this landscape of digital transformation.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is about the connectivity of devices. We’re used to connectivity with things like smartphones, tablets, and computers, but this is expanding far faster. We have more connected devices than we’ve ever had before. This is leading to more data, more trends, and more progress.

How are companies gearing up to utilize the IoT moving forward? We have more focus on real-time data, and this will lead to a push towards maximum data utilization. The Internet of Things will help companies accomplish more and cater at a more intense level to their customers’ needs.

5G Mobile

5G mobile is expected to truly change the tech community as well as the way business takes place. Having access to faster mobile in both urban and rural locations will alter the business landscape in a number of ways. From greater flexibility in the workplace to faster speeds, this is a change we can all look forward to.

As 5G mobile becomes more mainstream, we’ll also see new and more innovative services for all mobile users. The world is becoming an increasingly mobile place, especially for businesses. A 5G world is one that simply works smoother. Businesses now need to adapt to this new service to create mobile-friendly workplaces and websites.

Final Thoughts

Digital transformation is only just revving up. It will continue to change how we do business across industry lines. It’s not always easy to see the changes when they’re right in front of us, so taking the time to review these key must-haves can provide key clarity.

From changes to our mobile networks to outsourcing, there are big changes on the horizon. The world of business is changing, and it’s up to modern businesses to change with it. It’s easy to feel comfortable with the tried-and-true of the past, but those practices are quickly becoming obsolete. The implications of these must-haves above are long-lasting, so it’s time to adapt and change to make the most of them for your business.

About the Author

Ashley Lipman is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart - all things digital. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches touching the digital sphere.