Digital Transformation = Redundancies… or does it?

• Virtualise the servers!
• Automate the processes!
• Digitise the paper systems!

Digital transformation is ongoing, businesses everywhere embracing improved ways of working that give loads more flexibility, control, opportunity, security…and joy to those who work in the organisation going about their job.

But, it’s putting people out of jobs, isn’t it?

For decades, centuries, the progression and advancement of technology has improved life and provided greater opportunity. Problem is, once something is standardised, or streamlined, or automated, the task that was once undertaken by someone or a team is now redundant.

So we should have a world of people out of work, right? Okay, let’s just gloss over for the purpose of this article the global events that mean entire industries are closed down right now.

 But we don’t. And here’s why…knowledge and transferable skills.

Those who once performed the task have a great depth of knowledge and experience and are in a prime place to be the analysts, managers, creators of the next improvement. They’re the architects of growth and continual improvement.

The role they undertook, the task, that may be redundant as far as their direct involvement but the individual – they are not. Far from it.

Naturally, there will be people who are fearful during digital transformation and decide that during the programme of change to move on – either within an organisation or outside. There may be people who have reached the end of a chapter in their career and do something different; retirement being quite common for those of seniority in IT roles I’ve found. And there are those who make a nuisance of themselves and slow things down or gatekeep knowledge. I quite like these people in transformation projects because they generally are the most valuable in the success of change and I enjoy the challenge of creating a fruitful and beneficial relationship with them.

Then there are those who stick around, realise the value of the change and see the innovation and opportunity coming their way. These people are like gold dust I’ve found over the years…but they stick out like a sore thumb. They ask questions, they get involved, they ruffle some feathers, they challenge convention and new ideas alike. They’re your true innovators and your next leader.

These people actually create jobs and roles! They see the value in people and knowledge and use this to further the growth, success or performance of a business.

So yeh, virtualise the things, remove the human error from processes and stop pulping trees…get a digital transformation programme underway. Actually create jobs and growth in your industry with the team you have and value their knowledge and insight into how your business works and how you’re best positioned to serve your customer.