Preparing the Mindset for Change: Overcoming Roadblocks in Digital Transformation

 When a proposal to change how we use technology to run the business arrives, most of us either welcome the change because the leadership advocates it, or we question the intent and even renounce it. Various studies conducted by McKinsey, BCG, KPMG, and Bain & Company indicate most digital transformation fails to meet their original objectives, with failure rates ranging from 70% to 95%. Alarmingly high, isn’t it?

Mindset is one of the most significant factors disrupting initiatives to change. In my 16 years of helping businesses with their transformation journey, I have come across five major mindset roadblocks that disrupt growth.

Lack of right advocacy:  The absence of effective advocacy may have significantly contributed to the failure of many digital transformations progress.  However, it is the responsibility of the stakeholders to be the advocates of the change. The goal to change cannot be just a business decision it needs to be believed in.

A business that is generational, often sees the founders married to legacy processes, they find it difficult to break the norm and adapt to automation irrespective of disparate systems restricting the growth and scale. The stakeholders need to be convinced of the potential of the change and must inspire all stakeholders to become advocates by instilling a mindset of readiness to adapt to any potential changes.  By outlining the benefits that are relevant to everyone on board, they can provide compelling reasons to embrace this transformation and ensure its success.

Lack of adoption: Due to a lack of training and education, most of us don’t often prepare for change when it comes to deploying digital transformation. My brother recently upgraded an old gas-power vehicle to the latest and greatest electric power one for my parents. When he handed the keys to my parents (not tech-savvy folks), they sat in the car and were reluctant to drive this new toy. Great intentions in every way, my parents were eager to drive it; but in the end, they still drove the old gas-powered vehicle.  We can’t figure out why they ditch the new car, so we asked them.  The responses are “Well, I can’t tell if the car is on or off since there’s very little engine sound and the big monitor did not display my favorite radio stations and I don’t know how to operate lots of things with this car.” Sound familiar? Most of us will reject new software, tools, apps, and processes, even if they will improve our lives, unless we are slowly, consistently educated, and willing to clear the mindset block.

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