FACT CHECKED
A real digital adoption meaning – that is, a meaning that makes sense – really matters.
In this article, we’ll explore the true meaning of digital adoption.
More importantly, we’ll learn:
- Why the true meaning of digital adoption matters – and how it impacts the ROI of your digital transformation efforts
- Why effective digital transformation depends on digital adoption
- How to implement an effective digital adoption strategy
Let’s start by understanding why it’s important to have a precise definition of digital adoption.
A Digital Adoption Meaning that Delivers Measurable Results
Digital adoption means using your technology for the desired intent and to its fullest extent.
But why is it so important to have such a precise definition?
There are several reasons:
- A precise, exact definition helps you develop a precise, measurable strategy
- An imprecise, vague definition doesn’t lend itself to metrics or strategies
- A digital adoption meaning that is built around ROI naturally lends itself to developing definite, measurable processes, strategies, and methods
Consider a specialized business discipline, such as change management.
Change management is not a vague, generalized word. It does not mean different things to different people.
It refers to specific business practices designed to:
- Manage organizational change projects from start to finish
- Mitigate risk and minimize negative business impacts
- Overcome barriers to change and improve the efficiency of organizational change projects
- Use change management frameworks to mobilize support, reduce resistance, reinforce change, and more
To name a few.
The point is that “change management” has a specific definition and a specific set of ideas.
Therefore, this business discipline can develop and measure their aims, goals, and strategies.
Digital adoption is the same.
But other terms – such as technology adoption – pose problems.
The Problem with “Technology Adoption”
Here are some problems with the term “technology adoption”:
- It is not specific enough or goal-oriented, so it can’t be measured
- There are no processes, tools, or strategies that can assist with technology adoption
- This term can refer to the adoption of new technology in an individual business, or across societies and groups – in other words, it can mean different things to different people
In short, “technology adoption” doesn’t help business professionals design profitable systems and strategies.
But those are exactly what are needed to succeed at digital transformation – definite systems, strategies, and models.
Why Effective Digital Transformation Depends on Digital Adoption
Let’s connect the dots between digital adoption and digital transformation:
- Digital innovation and disruption drives transformation. The first point to note is that technology itself fuels digital transformation. Without technology, there would be no digital evolution in the first place.
- Successful technology implementation is a requirement for successful digital transformation. Every business must implement new technology and make use of it successfully. A business that merely installs new software isn’t implementing it successfully. And this is where the term “digital adoption” comes in.
- Digital adoption is built around investment and ROI. Software is an investment – but if you aren’t fully using your tools, you aren’t gaining full returns.
True digital adoption, therefore, means making full use of your technology investment.
If you aren’t doing that, then your business is leaving money on the table.
It is critical not to just “install” or “deploy” new software…
Businesses must strategically adopt, implement, and optimize their technology investments.
How to Implement a Digital Adoption Strategy
Here are a few prerequisites for developing a digital adoption strategy that gets measurable results:
- Implement digital adoption – not just technology adoption. The baseline requirement is to actually commit to digital adoption. That is, commit to using your technology to its fullest capacity.
- Define aims and goals. Include metrics and KPIs that are measurable. User engagement, user productivity, and performance are good cornerstone metrics.
- Create a strategy. Develop a method for achieving those aims, using the right onboarding, training, and communication approaches.
- Use the right digital adoption solutions. Digital adoption solutions are critical tools for effective adoption.
A good digital adoption strategy should include the right tools – and when it comes to digital adoption, there is no better tool than the digital adoption platform.
Digital Adoption Solutions
Digital adoption solutions – that is, digital adoption platforms – are tools specifically designed for digital adoption.
That is, they maximize software ROI by maximizing software utilization.
Here’s how:
- Contextualized in-app guidance. Onboarding and training are two essential stages in digital adoption. Effective training improves productivity, performance, and user satisfaction, among other things.
- Behavioral analytics. Understanding how users interact with software offers valuable insights into user behavior. That information, in turn, helps businesses make more informed decisions about training, software utilization, and so forth.
- One-stop dashboards. User information is collected and visualized under a single hood. CIOs and business leaders can see how their adoption programs are performing at a single glance.
- Automation. Another big benefit of digital adoption platforms is automation. They can take over mundane tasks from users, freeing up human time for more valuable activities.
The right digital adoption solution is as important as the right strategy.
Organizations that make the right choice in both regards won’t just be implementing new software – they’ll be using it to its fullest extent.
And, as a result, they’ll be maximizing their software ROI.
