Sustainable Digital Transformation

Industry 4.0 is geared towards digital transformation. As more businesses get into transforming their business the question remains whether this transformation will damage the environment? This can be easily mitigated through sustainable digital transformation. This encourages businesses to look into the long-term effects of newer technologies and adopt ones that improve the environment. 

A successful sustainable digital strategy starts with having a solid foundation, one constructed to solve future problems. Often the most difficult part of change is to start the process. The ambition may be there, but legacy constraints and capacity challenges can slow things down. 

The next focus should be on developing the business culture to be more innovation-friendly. Emerging green technologies are a critical component of sustainable digital transformation. These technologies can reduce a manufacturer's reliance on water, gas, or electricity. However, before adopting newer technologies businesses should focus on limiting waste and find ways to recycle waste materials. Investing time and energy in the wrong areas contributes to a company’s footprint and takes valuable resources away from solving more important problems.

It is impossible to achieve sustainable change without the support and belief of the people who are driving it. For digitized processes to be effective, they must not just be adopted and welcomed by customers but also by the employees who implement them on a local level.

It is essential for a successful sustainable digital transformation that local workers are understanding towards it. Otherwise, this transformation will not be sustainable in the long term. 

Another factor to consider is the customer. The customer of today wants a company that cares about the causes that are important to him. According to Deloitte’s Sustainable Consumer survey, over a third of consumers now look for brands with strong sustainable credentials. 

Another area of opportunity for sustainable change is being able to give customers greater control over their service. Companies can better engage their customers by showing them how their decisions translate into real-world environmental impacts. This creates better value for the customer and increases retention, but also a space in which additional services can be proposed. 

It is a false assumption that digital transformation and sustainability are unrelated. Companies should, however, tread carefully to ensure that their digitization process is indeed sustainable for their business, their employees, and of course their customers. Developing eco-friendly business models should stimulate significant commercial opportunities.