In a conversation with CIOtechOutlook, Hemal Savla, CIO, Shalina Healthcare, shared his views and thoughts pertaining to digital transformation and innovation goals to ensure alignment with industry advancements. Hemal is a seasoned Chief Information Officer with over 28 years of technology experience, including more than 15 years of leading IT functions both nationally and internationally. Ha has worked with national and multinational corporations in various domains such as FMCG, CPG, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Construction.

How can organizations effectively balance short-term operational needs with long-term digital transformation goals to ensure alignment with industry advancements?

This is a fine balance that needs to be maintained, as the immediate operational needs will always have a higher priority over long term digital transformation goals. But our approach to managing the current operational needs, while keeping the long term goals in sight can help maintain this balance. E.g. when addressing immediate technology needs, consider how the solutions can support future digital transformation initiatives. The planning should be flexible that allows for adjustments to cater to immediate operational needs, and regular reviews of the short term and long term objectives is necessary. These reviews allow the organizations to assess progress, make necessary adjustments and ensure that the short term plans are contributing to the long term goals of digital transformation.

Another important aspect is prioritization for making optimal use of available resources. Identify which short-term needs are critical and align them with long-term goals. This helps in making informed decisions about resource allocation. Allocate resources effectively by balancing immediate operational needs with investments in long-term projects. This might involve reallocating resources from less critical areas to those that drive long-term value. Investing in building and developing a skilled workforce that is ready to contribute to the digital transformation initiatives is necessary, for which there organizations needs to have a continuous training and development program.

How can leadership commitment drive digital transformation efforts and ensure that innovation initiatives are aligned with current and future industry advancements?

Leadership commitment is crucial, and leaders must articulate a clear vision and strategy for digital transformation. Understanding industry trends and setting a direction that aligns with both current capabilities and future opportunities is an integral part of leadership commitment. Leaders must continuously monitor the progress of digital transformation initiatives and be willing to adapt strategies as needed. This ensures that the organizations remain agile and responsive to industry changes. Committed leaders ensure that that adequate resources like financial, people, and technology, are allocated to digital transformation initiatives.

Digital Transformation largely involves change in mindset and ways of working, and leaders play a key role in fostering a culture that embraces change and innovation. Additionally, identifying the right initiatives within the organisation and right solutions to address those needs requires innovating and trying out different solutions. Leaders need to encourage risk-taking, support continuous learning, and promote a mindset that is open to new ideas and technologies. By reskilling and upskilling employees, leaders ensure that the workforce is prepared to work with new digital solutions. Empowered employees are more likely to contribute to and drive innovation.

How can organizations prioritize innovation within their digital transformation strategies while managing resource constraints and competing priorities?

Prioritizing innovation within digital transformation strategies while managing resource constraints and competing priorities can be challenging. Organizations can manage this by ensuring that innovation initiatives are directly tied to the organization’s strategic objectives. This alignment helps in securing management support and justifying resource allocation. Use data-driven insights to identify areas with the highest potential for impact, and advanced analytics can help prioritize projects that offer the best return on investment. Usually, innovations that address customer pain points and enhance the customer experience are more likely to deliver tangible business value.

Encourage collaboration across departments to foster diverse perspectives and drive innovation. Creation of cross-functional teams to drive these digital transformation initiatives help break down silos and accelerate the implementation of innovative ideas. Implementation of Agile methodologies allow for iterative development and quick adjustments based on feedback, which is crucial for managing resource constraints and adapting to changing priorities.

What challenges do organizations face when trying to align digital transformation initiatives with industry advancements, and how can they overcome these challenges?

The journey of digital transformation is not an easy one! There are several challenges that organizations face, and one of the biggest challenges is resistance to change. The fear of the unknown and thought that automation will take away their jobs lead to employees resisting new technologies and processes. This can be addressed by having a comprehensive change management strategy to address employee concerns and foster a culture of adaptability. Upskilling of employees by investing in training and development to prepare them for the new technologies and new ways of working helps in assuaging their concerns and making the organization ready to adopt the new initiatives. Encourage collaboration across departments to break down silos and ensure a unified approach to digital transformation.

Another key challenge is use of complex technologies with existing systems. It is important to carefully select and integrate technologies that align with business goals and industry specific needs. One size does not fit all! Going hand in hand with this is also the budgetary constraints, as figital transformation can be expensive.Create detailed financial plans that align budget allocations with transformation goals. Explore cost-effective solutions like low-code or no-code platforms.

How can companies ensure that their digital transformation efforts are scalable and adaptable to future industry advancements and technological changes?

Ensuring that digital transformation efforts are scalable and adaptable involves a strategic approach that integrates technology, people, and processes. Leveraging data analytics helps in making informed decisions and predicting future trends. This ensures that the transformation is aligned with market demands and industry advancements. Investing in continuous learning and development programs for employees ensures that the workforce is equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to handle new technologies, thus addressing the people aspect of change management.

Using agile methodologies allows for iterative development and quick adaptation to changes. This helps in responding to technological advancements and market shifts more efficiently. Partnering with technology providers, startups, and other organizations can bring in new perspectives and innovations, making the transformation more robust and adaptable. Regularly reviewing and updating digital strategies ensures that the company remains competitive and can adapt to new technologies and industry changes.