Digital dexterity is rapidly emerging as a critical factor for business transformation, especially for large enterprises navigating today’s accelerating digital landscape. While 74% of organizations now rank digital transformation as a top priority, and 77% have already embarked on this journey, only 35% of these efforts achieve success. This gap highlights the importance of fostering a digitally skilled workforce capable of adapting to new technologies and driving growth. For enterprise leaders, building digital dexterity is no longer optional — it’s essential for staying competitive and ensuring long-term success.
Digital dexterity is defined as the ability to rapidly adapt to new technologies, changing customer expectations [and] industry shifts.
From analog to digital: the evolution of work
In the past, work was largely manual and paper-based. Filing cabinets were the repositories of critical information, and physical meetings were the primary means of communication. This traditional approach, while effective for its time, was inherently limited by the constraints of physical space and manual processes.
The introduction of computers and the internet has led to a seismic shift towards digital work. What began as simple word processing and email communication has evolved into complex, interconnected digital ecosystems. Today, many jobs require employees to be proficient in a variety of digital tools and technologies. From project management software to customer relationship management systems, the digital transformation has not only streamlined operations but has also opened up new avenues for innovation and collaboration.
This trend is only going to continue in the future, as more and more aspects of work become automated. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are just a few of the technologies that are poised to revolutionize the workplace further. Automation will handle repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on strategic, creative, and high-value activities.
Businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve need to make sure that their employees have the digital skills they need to succeed. This involves not just providing training on the latest tools and technologies but also fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. By empowering their workforce with digital dexterity, companies can harness the full potential of technology to drive growth and transformation.
But what exactly does a digitally dexterous business look like?
First, the company has a digital-first mindset and focuses on exploring and prioritizing digital solutions for all aspects of the business. The leaders of these organizations understand that digitized operations, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative learning are crucial for the adaptability and long-term success of the business. Most importantly, digitally dexterous companies are focused on increasing employee engagement by providing the workforce with the data and tools it needs.
For the numerous organizations that haven’t quite achieved digital dexterity, getting started can seem like a herculean task. If your workforce has already found ways to get things done, is it really worth investing in all the extra software and tools required to transition into a digital workplace? Or should you follow the old adage and not worry about fixing what isn’t broken?
The answer is simple: achieving digital dexterity is an inevitable future for every industry, and organizations that avoid committing to it will likely find themselves left behind.
Here’s how investing in improving digital dexterity will help improve collaboration, yield a healthy ROI and, ultimately, help your organization thrive.
Employees will feel more invested in the success of the business
Businesses who excel at digital dexterity know employee input is key. Instead of making decisions about technology behind closed doors, these companies treat their employees as consumers — making sure they’re investing in solutions that truly address their workforce’s key pain points. Solutions such as Eptura’s, geared towards enhancing the employee experience, companies can engage employees in meaningful ways by offering tools that address daily workplace challenges, such as desk booking, space optimization, and facility management.
Not only does this help improve the adoption rate of these technologies, but it also empowers employees and makes them feel both invested and accountable. When your team knows you’re committed to doing what you can to make their workday easier, they’ll feel even more dedicated to their work and loyal to the organization.
Digital dexterity boosts the customer experience
Customers are becoming more and more digitally focused, and the purchasing power of digitally dexterous companies is growing at a breakneck speed. As consumers become more accustomed to the streamlined experience offered by the digital tools they use every day, their expectations of service providers change, too.
Innovative worktech solutions support digital dexterity by enabling teams to operate efficiently and respond quickly to customer demands. With Eptura’s integrated platforms for asset management, facility scheduling, and workflow automation, companies can maintain smooth operations, even across large or hybrid workspaces. This agility in workplace management ensures that customer-facing teams are more responsive, improving the customer experience and building brand loyalty.
Whether you run a B2B or a B2C organization, today’s customers expect businesses to be flexible and provide near-instant gratification. And the ability to quickly respond to customer needs enables your organization to provide an improved customer experience, which leads to increased revenue and greater brand loyalty.
Your organization will be better prepared for potential disruptions
No industry is immune to disruption — just ask the former owners of video rental stores and cab companies. Failure to adapt to change can be fatal for an organization, especially when a powerful new competitor comes onto the scene and begins dominating the market share.
But digital dexterity can help you prepare for these sorts of challenges and ensure you’re able to evolve with the marketplace. Because digital dexterity also fosters communication and collaboration, your business will be able to both anticipate change and react quickly.
Overall, investing in becoming a digital-first business will help your organization overcome roadblocks, keep employees engaged and satisfied in their work, support and drive collaboration, and meet the changing expectations of your customer-base. By committing to digital dexterity, you’ll be well prepared for whatever curveballs the future may hold.
Interested in more advice about adopting a forward-thinking business strategy? Download the 2024 Workplace Index report on how digitally connected workplaces drive the most value.