Why Communication Is the Key to Digital Transformation

Modern companies know just how important digital transformation is to stay relevant, but what does digital transformation look like and where does communication fit in?

Key takeaways

• What is digital transformation?
• Improving communication
• Messaging and automated workflows
• Using the Mobilize API to drive digital transformation

Our world is quickly becoming digital, and organizations of all kinds are rethinking their approach to age-old challenges to keep up. Companies are taking advantage of technologies like automation and CRM digital management to help modernize processes and align business functions for smoother operations.

Studies have shown that companies with high digital transformation maturity have significantly higher revenue growth and profit margins than companies with lower digital transformation maturity. So, not only does modernization make processes and systems more manageable, but it also helps your bottom line.

Now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations are trying to make the digital transition even faster. One survey of executives found that companies were accelerating digital transformation efforts of supply-chain interactions and internal operations by three to four years because of COVID-19. The shift to remote working and operating environments has required quicker shifts to digital dependence.

But what is digital transformation, exactly? And how is communication being altered because of it? Here’s what digital transformation looks like and how automated workflows and platforms are essential to that transition.

What is digital transformation?

Broadly, digital transformation is the shift from a paper-based organization to a fully digital one. At each level of the business, digital platforms and tools replace previously time-consuming and tedious tasks, like filing and completing physical paperwork. Data entry is streamlined in a digital-first environment, and automation tools keep workflows running smoothly and efficiently.

A shift to the cloud often goes hand-in-hand with digital transformation. Cloud computing allows organizations to save money because the solutions are much more flexible, often subscription-based, and ensure that users can access information from any device wherever they have an internet connection.

Benefits of digital transformation include:

• Cost savings
• More efficient processes
• Less physical office space required for storage
• More secure storage solutions
• Enhanced customer experiences
• Better data collection and analysis methods
• Better collaboration opportunities
• And many more

Now let’s dive deeper into one aspect of digital transformation: communication.

Improving communication

A major part of digital transformation is improving communication techniques. Transitions should focus on how to improve the customer or end-user experience with tools that provide instant interactions and real-time coordination.

Especially in our current environment, where teams are working remotely more than ever before, digital communication must truly replace in-person interactions. This requires integrating the latest video conferencing, messaging, and cloud-based collaboration tools so productivity never slows and your organization can provide the same level of support to members and audiences.

Here are a few key ways that modernizing communication benefits organizations:

• Improves organization culture with better collaboration and team building
• Allows for more comprehensive records to be kept and managed
• Gathers data that helps teams continue improving and updating strategy
• Improves communication with the organization’s key audiences
• Shows support for members or customers with real-time, personal interactions
• Keeps the organization relevant and competitive

One of the most important advances in communication has been text messaging. With technologies like automation now at the forefront of digital transformation, organizations are utilizing messaging like never before.

Messaging and automated workflows

For instant communication to become a reality, many organizations are adopting new forms of messaging. This includes text messaging, which allows people within the organization to stay connected and creates seamless interactions between the organization and its members, constituents, or customers.

Because mobile ownership only continues to increase, with an estimated 96% of Americans owning some kind of cellphone, investing in messaging is an effective way to reach and connect with people on new levels. Organizations are using text messages to send reminders, communicate about events, distribute text surveys to constituents, and much more.

Two important terms to know: short message service (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS). SMS messaging is the standard messaging service that uses cellular service to send texts, and MMS allows these messages to include multimedia content, like photos and videos. What’s great about text messages is that anyone with a cellphone can receive them and Wi-Fi access isn’t required.

These two forms of texting form the basis of the mobile communication you need to conduct with your audiences. They go hand-in-hand with digital transformation and work in conjunction with other digital systems the organization depends on.

For example, consider harnessing the benefits of an application programming interface (API), which helps integrate your SMS and MMS initiatives with other communication systems to enable messaging automation. Automation techniques allow for instant contact imports, reminders, keywords, scheduling, and other features to help you streamline workflows and speed up processes.

Using a messaging API like Mobilize helps you connect with audiences instantly while improving digital processes internally.

Using the Mobilize API to drive digital transformation

So how does the Mobilize API help you digitally transform your organization? One important way is by giving you flexibility. You can customize your SMS and MMS campaigns to whatever your current needs are and scale them up as you grow.

Another important benefit of using the SMS messaging API is staying in compliance with regulations regarding text message communications. For example, you always need to ensure that users have opted-in to receive text messages, and you need to include an easy way for them to opt-out. The platform helps you manage such restrictions and avoid penalties.

Mobilize also helps you with features like text surveys and polling, mass texting campaigns, unlimited contacts, online sign-up widgets, and much more.

Allow Mobilize to help your organization digitally transform by improving the way you communicate with SMS and MMS messaging. Contact us to get started, or take a look at our plans and pricing.