How to Create a Digital Culture in Your Business

Digital Culture March 26, 2021

Chloe Henderson

Introduction to Digital Culture

Businesses that establish a digital culture look different throughout the ages. Thirty years ago, businesses that used fax machines and desktop computers were technology forward. Later, companies had to incorporate internet-driven processors and automation tools to stay competitive.

Now, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality determine high-tech companies. By establishing a digital culture in the workplace, organizations can continuously improve operations to promote efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.

What is a Digital Culture?

Digital culture is the concept that defines how technology continuously shapes how people communicate with one another. This is present in how humans think, behave, and express themselves to those around them. May businesses use this type of digital technology innovation in their workspace to improve processes and the customer experience.

Many people use laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices to connect with other users around the world via the internet. With these devices, users can shop, communicate with friends, and engage with businesses. This provides unique opportunities for companies to interact with their customers and drive sales.

Within organizations, different departments use various management solutions to streamline processes, such as billing and invoice processing. This technology provides an organized method to share, store, and retrieve data throughout the company. With digital databases, businesses can eliminate paper waste and significantly boost productivity.

what is a digital culture 1615327306 3825

Embracing a digital culture is essential for modern businesses as it can significantly improve the work environment.

Deconstruct the Hierarchy - Establishing a digital culture breaks down the typical workplace hierarchy and encourages employees to use their own judgment. This empowers workers to use their skills and make quick decisions.

Encourage Innovation - By implementing the latest technology, companies can encourage employees to try new techniques to improve workflow.

Attract and Retain Employees - Studies show that Millennials and Generation Z prefer a digital culture over the traditional 9-5 work environment. Therefore, businesses can attract and retain workers by incorporating digital processes into operations.

How to Create a Digital Culture

A digital culture marks a mature business that improves its internal processes alongside evolving technology. In fact, studies show that approximately 33% of decision-makers site work culture as the biggest obstacle for digital impact. Therefore, companies that take the time to establish a digital culture can improve the effectiveness of business strategies.

1. Promote Transparency

To create a digital culture, organizations first need to inform all stakeholders, executives, and employees of its potential impact. When implemented correctly, businesses can drive sales, revenue, productivity, and profits. Therefore, everyone must be on the same page as far as how to achieve business goals through digital means.

Digital culture is not completely new to the corporate sector as many businesses have been slowly implementing accessible digital technologies. This makes establishing a digital culture and transformation that much easier, as it shouldn't shock the workspace. Owners just need to be transparent when implementing new systems.

Companies can promote transparency through memos, daily emails, forums, and even hosting regular meetings. This allows decision-makers to inform employees of changes and workers the chance to share their concerns. By establishing this open line of communication, businesses can maintain authority while empowering employees.

2. Encourage Collaboration

Organizations that segment their departments create silos that separate workers and restrict collaboration. This often limits data-sharing, which can result in lagging systems. Therefore, managers should encourage collaboration between team members.

Employees that enjoy working together drive productivity through the roof and create a smooth workflow between teams. Workers feel comfortable sharing ideas, giving feedback, and developing initiatives from collaborated ideas. This creates a well-rounded, inclusive think tank that considers every idea, making workers feel appreciated.

Managers and team leaders can encourage collaboration by assigning group projects and working on team-building exercises. Sometimes it is helpful for employees to meet outside of work in social gatherings to gain some familiarity. Once workers get comfortable around each other, they are more likely to collaborate.

3. Provide Training

Digital culture can't be implemented solely through emails and chain mail. Businesses need to train employees at all levels, from management to new hires, so they understand the impact of a digital culture.

Owners can develop a training workshop and filter in employees based on their roles. This ensures workers understand digital tools that apply specifically to their department. This method is more effective than an all-inclusive training seminar that attempts to train employees on every new system.

Some digital implementations are flexible enough to teach remotely via online learning systems. This enables employees to complete training via laptops, tablets, or other devices. With these types of learning programs, the software automatically sends the performance results to the supervisor after completion.

4. Get Comfortable with Risk

Risks are inevitable and eventually reveal themselves to every business, regardless of their management techniques. Therefore, companies must become comfortable with addressing and facing threats head-on. Organizations that stay ready to mitigate risks enhance their agility, flexibility, and responsiveness.

Since risks are ever-evolving, businesses can't be afraid to try new prevention and mitigation methods. While not all of them will be effective, this trial-and-error process is necessary to determine the best risk management tactic. The digital culture cultivates innovative ways to handle emerging threats using insights into each internal system.

5. Inspire Employees and Customers

Traditional management methods quickly become redundant and mundane, often leaving employees bored. However, a digital culture keeps things exciting in the workspace by encouraging the use of modern technology. This is essential for keeping workers engaged in their tasks and excited to perform their usual duties.

Promoting a digital culture can also encourage customers to interact with the business in a new, interesting way. For example, the New York Times opened up a digital subscription which generated 1.5 new subscribers in six years. This goes to show that businesses new and old can promote a digital culture to reinspire their consumers.