The Human Touch in Digital Transformation: A Key to Success
Companies are increasingly forced to keep up with the rapid evolution of technologies to remain competitive. However, another major challenge arises: while it is essential to digitalize and innovate, the human touch in "business transactions" remains paramount. Ahmed Ben Hamouda, founder of Ben Hamouda Consulting and project management specialist, shares his experience on the keys to a successful digital transformation.
According to Ahmed Ben Hamouda, three major challenges often hinder companies in their digital transition:
- Resistance to Change: Employees, often accustomed to traditional methods, may see new technologies as a threat to their roles or comfort. This natural apprehension can slow down the adoption of digital tools.
- Resource Estimation: The difficulty in accurately evaluating the costs and time required to deploy digital systems can lead to budget overruns or project abandonment.
- Technology Selection: In a constantly evolving environment, selecting the right solutions is a challenge. Strategic monitoring becomes essential to avoid missing major innovations.
Measuring Positive Impact without Dehumanizing
A successful digital transformation goes beyond the implementation of technologies. It must also reinforce employee satisfaction.
Ben Hamouda explains that automation tools can reduce time and resource waste by taking over repetitive tasks. This frees up collaborators for higher-value-added activities.
However, he warns: defining the limits between automatable tasks and those requiring human intervention is crucial. Without these safeguards, the risk is to harm creativity and strategic thinking, essential pillars for a company's growth.
Customized Accompaniment: The Case of CPG
In 2019, Ahmed Ben Hamouda accompanied the Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG) in its digital transformation. The challenge was to manage a heterogeneous team composed of seniors nearing retirement and young collaborators.
The young, more open to digital tools, played a driving role in the transition, while seniors were initially reluctant. Thanks to in-depth awareness-raising and concrete demonstrations of the benefits of technologies, the teams were able to align.
For Ben Hamouda, a successful transformation relies on three pillars: team buy-in, customized accompaniment tailored to each group's needs, and transparent communication on the project's objectives.
