The Digital disruption is fundamentally changing industries and business models. Managers are faced with the challenge of not only understanding these changes, but actively shaping them. This is not just about introducing new technologies, but about renewing entire processes and ways of thinking.
Understanding digital disruption as a basis for leadership
The Digital disruption describes radical upheavals that put established business models to the test. Traditional companies will lose their status if they do not respond to technological innovations with agility. For example, the rise of streaming services has massively changed the music industry. End-to-end digital solutions, such as in e-commerce, have brought retail into a new era. Platforms such as Airbnb also show how new business models are challenging existing industries.
Decision-makers must therefore understand the digital transformation and ensure that their organisations react to disruptive trends in good time. It helps to openly question existing business models and digitalise internal processes. Change should not be seen as a risk, but as an opportunity.
Active leadership in times of digital disruption
Today, managers have the task of not only accompanying digital disruption, but also proactively managing it. This means shaping the corporate culture in such a way that changes are understood as impulses and teams demand innovative solutions.
One real-life example is a large car manufacturer that focuses on electromobility and digital services. By strategically integrating software development and agile project management, it was able to accelerate innovation cycles with external start-ups and sustainably strengthen its market position.
In the financial sector, a leading credit institution uses digital platforms to offer customers personalised services. The ability to respond to customer feedback in real time significantly improves customer satisfaction and creates lasting loyalty.
New digital services based on data analyses and telemedicine are also emerging in the healthcare sector. This enables faster, location-independent action and opens up new business models.
BEST PRACTICE at the customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)
BEST PRACTICE at the customer (name hidden due to NDA contract) An international logistics provider was able to make its supply chains more transparent by using digital platforms. This shortened delivery times, reduced sources of error and significantly increased customer satisfaction. The company supported this process intensively with transruptions coaching in order to introduce the teams to digital change step by step and promote acceptance.
Practical strategies for decision-makers
In order to successfully navigate digital disruption, managers should prioritise the following approaches:
- Early identification of disruptive technologies and business models, e.g. through market observation and innovation workshops.
- Promoting agility and experimental work within the teams.
- Strength-based collaboration with start-ups and innovative partners to expand expertise and gain new impetus.
- Regularly reviewing and adapting our own business models in order to best serve customer needs.
- Open communication about digital changes to reduce resistance and create enthusiasm for new opportunities.
One service company, for example, relied on agile development methods and was thus able to accelerate the market launch of digital offerings. A retail company integrated AI-based analyses in order to recognise trends early on and manage product ranges in a targeted manner. A manufacturer digitalised its production processes in order to tap into new efficiency reserves and respond more flexibly to customer demand.
Digital disruption and the role of transruption coaching
Support from transruption coaching is often helpful for decision-makers to successfully implement complex digital projects. This coaching supports managers in developing strategies in an environment of digital disruption, moderating change processes and mastering cultural challenges.
For example, a manufacturing company can better understand how innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things can be introduced through targeted workshops and consultations. An energy supplier was supported through coaching to create new digital business models that adapt to changing market conditions.
My analysis
The Digital disruption demands more than just technical understanding from decision-makers today. Actively shaping change is key to remaining competitive in the long term. Companies that respond to digital innovations at an early stage and adapt their business models will benefit in the long term. An open corporate culture that recognises change as an opportunity and consistently promotes it pays off. This process can be effectively supported with transruption coaching, which facilitates the implementation of digital projects and removes obstacles.
Further links from the text above:
OMR glossary on digital disruption
Digital disruption and megatrends
We explain: Digital disruption
Recognising and understanding digital disruptions
Scientific contribution Digital disruption
Digital disruption explained simply
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