When it comes to the digitization of Italian companies, the risk is always that of being assailed by negativity. It is no mystery that the Italian production fabric is still far from European standards overall. Although 88% of SMEs are aware that digital innovations are necessary for business development, only 26% of these companies in Italy have reached a level of technological maturity that allows them to compete in the global market.
Companies Digitization, a research
This is stated by the research on the relationship between companies, innovation and digitalization 4.0 of the Osservatorio Innovazione digitale nelle Pmi of the Politecnico di Milano. This delay, however, does not only concern SMEs. Italy has always been characterized by a low digital penetration in the main sectors of the economy: according to the DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) 2020, our country is in 25th place out of 28 EU countries. As we know, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a vertical increase in demand for digital services, giving a definitive boost to the now “mythological” digital transition.
Companies Digitization, the Pnrr
In addition, a few months ago, a package of incentives for economic recovery was defined, which our government has baptized “Pnrr”. The plan envisages a budget of around 222 billion euros, 27% of which is earmarked for the digital transition. The hope is therefore that the injection of this capital can accelerate a process that has a strong impact on businesses, starting with digital infrastructure. From our observatory, at Premoneo, we still notice a certain resistance on the part of owners and management along the path of digital transformation of companies, especially those with a certain history, which have been able to impose themselves on the market since the last century.
Digitization of companies, the importance of change management
What we would like to remind our clients and stakeholders is that the fundamental requirement for success in this process is to be able to count on top management that is aware of the benefits of digital technology and is able to transfer, first and foremost, to their colleagues the “sense” of the process, the objectives to be pursued and the advantages that will be obtained. It is not always from an “enlightened” top management that the digital transformation begins; often critical and emergencies are the casus belli that lead to overcoming habit and leverage innovation.
Companies Digitization, planning the change
Corporate digitalization, however, has its times and methods and must be planned as a gradual evolution, accompanied by a change management plan that actively involves all staff. Often in Premoneo we become the first witnesses of this key step, starting the work with an in-depth analysis of the needs of the company and its customers. The pilot project with which we start working thus stems from an assessment process, analysis and mapping of processes that helps management to understand the real efficiency of existing activities and the level of optimization that can be achieved through the introduction of innovative methodologies.
Companies Digitization, optimization goal
However, digitizing business processes doesn’t just mean updating them or implementing them with new methodologies: our experience teaches us that it is essential to rethink and rewrite them, extracting maximum value from internal competencies and the potential that digital platforms and services can provide. At Premoneo we believe that the final objective of the process is to accelerate and optimize processes in order to improve results, shorten distances, reduce time and free up resources: effects that in a short time become visible even in the company accounts, allowing to generate a more than a satisfactory return on investment.
