Executive Summary

It can be easy for businesses to get lost in the grandeur of digital transformation. The end goal is usually sexy, exciting and often involves a shiny new piece of technology. However, getting to that place requires a lot of heavy lifting internally. Companies must remember that communication should be transparent from the start, and collaboration is key to reach that transformation aspiration.

Why are companies investing in digital transformation?

Digital transformation enables businesses to focus on their future goals in a digital-first world. Evolving customer preferences, increased competitive pressure or declining business performance are common reasons why companies see the need to implement digital transformation efforts. Nearly eight in 10 companies in the US are in the process of doing so, according to AppDirect.

Why should companies adopt collaboration tools?

Collaboration is necessary for digital transformation to foster employee productivity and increase transparency; many companies look to collaboration tools help streamline that process. But before investing, companies must first consider what problems they are trying to solve, and whether the solution can address that need. Successful implementation hinges on having clear objectives and use cases from the start.

What are the main types of collaboration tools?

We have identified six different types of collaboration tools: messaging, internal social networks, intranet, video conferencing, project management and employee databases. This report will define all six and delve into how companies from a variety of sectors have implemented them to reach their transformation and collaboration goals.

How should businesses align their employees around digital transformation strategies?

Executive sponsorship is needed to align organizations and their employees around digital transformation efforts. Often, employees and their day-to-day work can be forgotten in this process which is a mistake. In order to make goals transparent, companies can implement businesswide, goal-setting methodologies to align all levels of the organization. Other firms might restructure their company to bring different business functions closer together.

How should companies plan for change management?

Simply selecting a collaboration tool isn’t enough. Companies need to implement a change management strategy that should include an enterprise rollout plan, training and an assessment of corporate culture.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? Businesses struggling to align company objectives and employee behavior with digital transformation efforts should read this report to learn about goal-setting methodologies, collaboration tools and best practices for implementing these tools.

KEY STAT: A lack of the right tools, internal politics or cultural resistance, and the lack of a formal strategy or plan, are all challenges to digital transformation efforts for US and UK firms, according to May 2018 research from Vanson Bourne.