Perspectives

How Leaders Can Overcome Digital Transformation Challenges, with Javier Polit

Written By: Matt Lieberson
December 9, 2020
3 min read

While digital transformation is a business imperative in 2020, it is still not without its challenges. Leading organizations are beginning to outpace those organizations that have yet to succeed and bring transformation to their teams. But by embracing strategies like rapid-cycle innovation as a part of a dual-track transformation strategy, organizations can finally overcome those major challenges and create the agility modern businesses need to survive.

Technology leader Javier Polit has been involved with digital transformation efforts at multiple organizations, and has both navigated the challenges and experienced the positive impacts of a dual-track approach to transformation.

We caught up with Javier to get his biggest tips for organizations looking to embrace approaches like dual-track, become more agile, and be more prepared to face challenges to come.

Have a dynamic mindset

To match the necessary speed of business in 2020, organizations need to think towards the future and be prepared for possible change. To be ready for anything, organizations should be shifting to a dynamic mindset and embrace processes and tools that will bring the ability to make change from throughout an organization.

“Companies have to focus on toolsets and processes that enable them to be more competitive and more agile, and help the company be successful,” he said.

With 55% of organizations looking to digital transformation to increase productivity and efficiency, according to Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, starting with the right organizational mindset will be key in focusing on solving the problems. And with business culture as a major roadblock, seeking to build the right culture for transformation will be critical for teams trying to solve new issues that come up quickly.

Make change from the top down

For organizations that need to find the budget, momentum, and buy-in to effectively make change, finding leaders who are willing to commit to the change is the most important way to get the ball rolling.

“Progressive CIOs and IT leaders are the ones who understand that IT resources aren’t everywhere. By leaning into the potential of your entire business, and coming up with ways to enable transformation without having to lean on IT, businesses can unlock their full transformation potential. But it has to start with leaders willing to push that kind of change.”

Enable your people

Javier has always been a strong advocate for citizen development. The reason for this is that citizen development is an incredible way to empower users across an organization to make the changes that they think are most important.

“As businesses now try to be more efficient on the edges in regards to insights and go to market strategies, toolsets that enable business leaders, not just IT members, is going to be I don’t want to keep saying gamechanger, but definitely a competitive advantage,” Javier said.

“And as digital fluency continues to elevate across the business leadership and the business functions, you need to now start equipping them with tools to build capabilities.”

Celebrate your wins

Lastly, it can be difficult in a year like this one to take time and recognize true improvements and milestones. But as Javier points out, by taking the energy to celebrate internal wins and momentum, you will be better equipped and excited to move forward. And along with the moral victories, it can help build an important business case with key stakeholders.

“As my organization secured quick wins, it got us the buy-in we needed to continue on our path not just at the executive level, but from across the business,” according to Javier. “Being sure that we publicize and recognize these achievements gave us the credibility and momentum to continue.”

Matt Lieberson
Written By: Matt Lieberson

Matt Lieberson is a Content Marketing Manager at Quickbase.

Never miss a post — subscribe to the Quickbase Blog.

Sign up to receive the latest posts on everything from Operational Excellence to Digital Transformation.