A 5-Step Guide to Digitalization for Consultants

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Ever wondered how businesses successfully navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital transformation? Well, it takes two important players to achieve this: a visionary leader within the company and an experienced digital transformation consultant.

In this era of digitalization, staying relevant and competitive has become a significant challenge for businesses of all sizes across various industries. Technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations, the demand for seamless online experiences, you name it!

Also, did you know that by 2026, it’s estimated that $3.4 trillion will be spent on digital transformation technologies and services? Companies know this and are ready to hire experts who can take their digital transformation to the next level. So, if you want to build a career in this highly lucrative sector, this article is for you.

did you know that by 2026, it’s estimated that $3.4 trillion will be spent on digital transformation technologies and services

We’ll discuss the 5 essential steps you should take to ensure that your client’s digitalization project is a huge success. So, let’s dive into it.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

A digitalization project should begin with clear and specific objectives. You should also consider constraints like resources and budget and set reasonable objectives.
A comprehensive assessment of the client's existing digital systems and team capabilities is crucial for a successful transformation.
A data-driven digital strategy should be developed by conducting in-depth research and analyzing industry data, and market trends.
Executing the digital strategy is a crucial step, but continuous monitoring is vital to ensure that expected results are delivered.
Staff training and development is an industry worth billions of dollars. As a consultant, you can be part of this industry by offering to upskill your clients’ teams after the project is over.

Step 1: Define Clear Objectives

Alright, here's where the voyage begins! In the beginning, be crystal clear on what you want to achieve. Think of these objectives as your trusty compass that guides you through the ocean of digital transformation. Now, as an experienced consultant, you likely have the expertise to set objectives professionally. But still, let’s have a little recap.

You see, consultants set objectives by first understanding their client's overarching business goals. They collaborate closely with clients to determine what they want to achieve through the consulting engagement. As a consultant, you must also consider constraints and available resources to make the objectives practical and attainable within the given limitations. Moreover, it's important to align these objectives with the client's overall business strategy to ensure they support the broader strategic vision.

Example:

Let’s suppose that Company A hires strategy consultants to enhance its market presence. From the get-go, their objective is simple and direct: "Increase online sales by 30% within the next year." This clear objective aligns with the company's goal of expanding its digital footprint and provides a specific target for the consulting team to work towards.

Step 2: Assess Current Digital Maturity

As a consultant who is developing a digitalization strategy, you should understand that the journey from digital strategy to implementation requires a comprehensive understanding of the client's current digital landscape. It’s like taking a thorough inventory of the tools and resources at your disposal before starting a project.

In this phase, close collaboration with the client is essential. So, dig deep into their existing digital systems, processes, and the skillsets of their team. This ensures that you make the best use of what's available and that there are no surprises during the execution of the plan.

Example:

For example, if you’re helping a client create a state-of-the-art e-commerce website, you should make sure the company has the resources to maintain it. So, if the e-commerce store is created through Shopify and the inbound marketing is done through HubSpot, there must be employees in the company who are well-versed in using both these platforms.

Step 3: Develop a Comprehensive Digital Strategy

Alright, now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and brainstorm really hard. According to research, companies with a clear strategy are 31% more likely to succeed. So, as a consultant, you should create a clear and comprehensive digital strategy, much like designing a blueprint for a building.

According to research, companies with a clear strategy are 31% more likely to succeed.

To create a winning strategy, conduct thorough research and analysis, and delve into your client's goals, industry data, and market trends. Also, assess the client's current position, pinpointing strengths and areas that need improvement. Now, with this data-driven insight, you can develop a strategic plan by setting specific, measurable targets, and outlining actionable steps.

Example:

Let’s suppose a university wants to modernize its educational approach. Their objective is to implement a hybrid learning model by combining in-person classes with an interactive online platform. So, they hire an experienced freelance consultant through Consultport to create a comprehensive digitalization strategy. The consultant creates a detailed digital strategy that encompasses elements such as curriculum integration, technology selection, faculty training, student experience enhancement, and assessment mechanisms. This comprehensive strategy includes a broad range of elements and fulfills the client’s requirements successfully.

Step 4: Execute and Monitor Digital Strategy

Creating a comprehensive strategy on paper is just the beginning. Executing the strategy flawlessly is equally important, too. In this critical phase, the meticulously developed digital strategy moves from theory to practice. It's like creating a design for a building and then overseeing its construction to ensure it adheres to the architectural plans.

Execution includes the implementation of each element within the strategy, whether it’s launching a new website, rolling out a catchy social media campaign, or integrating an advanced customer relationship management (CRM) system. You see, your strategy's execution phase is the moment of truth. This is when the blueprint takes tangible form and each element comes to life.

But along with execution, monitoring is also an integral part of the execution phase. As in, it’s important to ensure that the strategy is actually delivering the expected results. As a consultant, you should continuously track key performance indicators (KPIs) and other relevant metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented strategy.

Example:

Let’s assume that a manufacturing company hires a consultant to optimize its supply chain through a digital strategy that includes implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and automating inventory management. In the execution phase, the company sets the plan in motion by installing the ERP software and integrating it into its operations. To monitor the effectiveness of their strategy, the consultant keeps a close watch on KPIs like inventory turnover and order fulfillment efficiency. This ongoing evaluation allows them to make real-time adjustments to maximize the strategy's effectiveness and align it with their broader digital transformation objectives.

Step 5: Training and Skill Development

In this final stage, your focus should shift to enhancing the human element. It means that now, the consulting engagement is about to be finished and you should train the client’s staff to continue with the changes on their own. It's not just about implementing new technologies or strategies—it's also about training the team with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively utilize these digital tools. According to Statista, the market size of the workplace training industry in the U.S. was $165.3 billion in 2020. This suggests that employers are willing to pay big bucks in order to upskill their employees. And as a consultant, you should definitely grab a share of this gigantic market.

According to Statista, the market size of the workplace training industry in the U.S. was $165.3 billion in 2020

Example:

Let's take the example of a manufacturing company that has adopted an advanced data analytics platform to optimize its production processes. In the training and skill development phase, the consultant conducts workshops and training sessions for the production staff and supervisors. These sessions cover topics like data analysis, real-time monitoring, and decision-making based on analytics. This training empowers the team with the necessary knowledge to use the new analytics tool efficiently and make data-driven decisions.

Final Thoughts

As mentioned earlier, the demand for digital transformation professionals is insane right now and is likely to grow significantly in the coming years. However, the fact is that companies often lack the resources and knowledge to execute digitalization projects seamlessly. That’s when you come into play. You could be a helping hand to companies and offer services like digital readiness assessment, digital strategy development, process or business model digitalization, and much more.

And if you’re an experienced consultant who is available to work on a freelance basis, we have news for you. At Consultport, we have more than 10,000 experienced freelance consultants in our network. As an online consulting platform, we help connect freelance consultants with clients.

Told you that consultants are in demand and businesses are looking for them. Well, some of those businesses approach us when they need a consultant.

So, if you have experience working with top-tier firms, renowned digital agencies, or blue-chip companies, we can help you find freelance consulting projects. Interested? Find more info on our website and get in touch if you meet our criteria.

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