Identifying digital disaster mistakes

Written by Jewel Hermonstine from Larato Limited

The benefits of going digital are clear, but many companies face challenges when faced with the transition. Business leaders struggle to navigate the complexity of implementation - you know you need something, but not what or how. And bad decisions can be costly.

In a Larato survey, 70 per cent of SMEs said they want technology to drive growth and promote productivity. There is a significant gap between those who want it and those actively considering it.

Concerns around adoption and underutilisation are common; there’s no point investing in digital tools if you can’t be confident the benefits will be realised.

It’s not that the tools aren’t fit for purpose, but instead that there could be resistance to change

A Red Hat’s survey further highlights this, with 92 per cent of IT managers expecting pushback on new tools, and 29% of UK leaders citing a lack of necessary skills as a major barrier.

Here are five frequent mistakes that hinder successful digital transformation:

Investing money but not time: Without tailoring digital solutions to the unique needs of the business, companies risk using ineffective, one-size-fits-all tools.

Excluding employees from the process: Employees are often left out of decision-making despite being primary users. Early buy-in from them is essential for smooth adoption and use.

Overlooking broader impacts: Focusing on one department (like Sales) may ignore other needs (like Marketing) or future scalability, leading to unforeseen costs and inefficiencies.

Treating data as an afterthought: Without a cohesive data strategy, companies end up with siloed information that limits insights, misses opportunities, and reduces productivity.

Not hiring outside expertise: Internal teams and software vendors may lack the objectivity or understanding to fully address a business's unique needs. An external consultant can provide an unbiased, strategic perspective.

In summary, digital transformation requires careful planning, meaningful employee involvement, and a holistic approach to data and expertise. By avoiding these common missteps, companies can better realise the full benefits of digital solutions.

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