How embedding a digital culture can boost ROI for your organisation

What does success look like for your organisation?

Whether it’s increased revenue, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction or crucial sustainability efforts, decision makers are looking to technology to improve what they can deliver and how they deliver it. 

It’s an easy question to ask, but a harder one to answer. Standard return on investment (ROI) measures such as how tech can help streamline processes and build productivity just don’t capture the whole picture.

Creating a digital culture means unlocking the full benefits of tech by empowering your employees. In other words, it’s not just about your bottom line – it’s about how an ecosystem of data sharing and innovation can help you achieve more.

So how can you measure what that impact is and ensure you’re building a culture that gives you the most value?

The first step is to ensure that you’re not only measuring tech ROI through financial metrics. That’s because technology impacts your organisation’s output in a myriad of ways.

For example, a single unified communications platform that combines team communications, customer trend analysis and synchronised file sharing can significantly boost collaboration and productivity across an organisation. Streamlining workflows like this is just one such way of measuring technology impact.

Another approach to flexible and sustainable growth is looking at new ways of working such as device as a service (DaaS), where organisations can rent out the latest mobile tech. Employees get immediate access to brand new phones, all without the substantial up-front investment that is normally required.

Organisations can spread out the cost of devices over time, reducing financial strain and improving cash flow management.

Having access to the latest handsets means employees can benefit from faster data speeds and better connectivity which improves communication, collaboration and overall efficiency.

Added to this, the sun setting on 2G and 3G networks means some organisations will be forced to refresh their devices anyway if they haven’t already. Not being stuck with obsolete tech is likely to be a catalyst for improved employee satisfaction and performance.

What can you achieve when you start thinking about technology in this more holistic, cultural way?

The idea of value creation comes into play here. According to the Institute for Management Development, value creation involves identifying the overlapping interests between customers, employees and the organisation itself and building solutions that can improve your offering for all three.

In real terms this means using something like technology to go above and beyond. For example, AI-powered workflow software can automate administrative tasks and free your employees up to do more fulfilling work.

This can also be seen in the realm of hybrid work, where employees are increasingly searching for seamless and personalised interaction. The rapid adoption of integrated communications platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Slack has redefined the pace of team communication.

They fulfil the collaboration needs of a diverse workforce and especially empower those working in the field away from a desk.

85% of global businesses say they now see sustainability as a value creation opportunity, according to Morgan Stanley.

And from our own ESG spotlight report we know 64% of business decision makers believe they could be better equipped to use tech and innovation to drive ESG enhancements, highlighting the importance of integrating digital solutions into ESG strategies.

On the one hand, this is done because technology gives you a wealth of data to report your progress across the entire breadth of your ESG strategy. Organisations can use IoT devices and advanced analytics to monitor and reduce energy consumption, leading to more efficient operations.

And on the other, comprehensive ESG reporting tools enable companies to track and showcase their sustainability efforts, fostering transparency and accountability. One way we can help is with our Carbon Calculator. This tool helps organisations estimate and manage the carbon footprint associated with our SD-WAN and mobile solutions, enabling them to better understand their carbon footprint and integrate these findings into their own ESG reporting.

By fostering a digital-first mindset, your organisation can achieve greater efficiency, resilience and long-term success.

The important thing about digital-first mindsets, just like any other significant organisational change, is that they must start at the top. When CEOs and the broader C-suite are bought in, committed and fully understand the benefits that digital can bring, that’s when the stage is set for successful transformation.

The flipside to this is when there is limited understanding of digital at the top layer. It’s these circumstances where digital fails at the first hurdle, since the responsibility falls to middle management. And despite their noble and best efforts, they can struggle without the necessary mandate or influence.

With strong leadership and a committed vision, your organisation can much more realistically instil a true digital culture. It goes beyond just the financial benefits, creating an environment where innovation thrives, employees are empowered and sustainable practices are embraced.