4 essential lessons in pandemic to be learnt in business digital transformation

Digital transformation is the must-follow trend despite every downhill effect of the pandemic. Businesses who choose to be outsiders will certainly be left behind. 

Mr. Hoang Viet Anh - FPT’s Executive Vice President stated in the CTO Talks on 22rd of July, in this special phase of COVID-19, many businesses were tremendously affected, forced to close down or temporarily pause the operation. However, there were still many others which still managed and maintained production thanks to the decision of investing in technology and on-time digital transformation. 

Based on experiences of deploying digital transformation projects for various clients, he also shared four lessons that must be learnt in the process. Those were: prioritize administration automation - a paper-less process; maintain digital channels in business and operation to connect with clients and suppliers; focus on the digital information flow between the production chain and business; use digital technology to keep the staff community safe. In addition, Mr. Viet Anh also claimed that digital transformation was the inseparable process among three factors of business model, technology facility and human resources. The center and most important of them all was the people. 

Sharing the same thought with Mr. Viet Anh, Mr. Pham Van Tam - Asanzo Group’s Chairman stated - the first challenge for an organization to start their digital transformation was going to be changing mindsets among both leaders and employees. “There would definitely be a gap between the leaders and the staff mindset. Not to mention a large proportion of the managerial level would not be willing to learn new things, especially technology. A great manager would be able to convince and train his people to join the digital transformation for the common vision and mission of the organization. Digital transformation is not and need not be a wash-out of the current personnel change and replacement with a brand new work force with technological skills.” 

According to the leaders, each business will face a different challenge while starting their digital transformation journey. However, they must acknowledge this as the vital matter of a business. “Business in this economic situation can't survive without digital transformation. Do you want your business to be an analog in this multi-color TV market?” - Mr. Ngo Minh Hai - True Milk Group’s Chairman played with his words. 

Moreover, Mr. Viet Anh emphasized in his talk to businesses, “digital transformation is the must-follow trend. Businesses who choose to be outsiders will certainly be left behind. If a business starts their digital transformation process, a long-term plan must also be built. If the business hasn't started yet, the leaders should find their pain-point and the most suitable plan to begin the transformation process in the most simple approach.”