Cross-digitalization refers to seamless integrations and interactions between different digital applications and systems within an organization. This has become increasingly important in today’s businesses because it is a simple way to increase efficiency, and data exchange, and shorten decision-making processes across different functional areas. Stitching together applications – step by step – will eventually give companies more control over their own business and each individual worker gets more insights into what an important role they have and what values they create.

Why should you focus on cross-digitalization?

• Increased efficiency: Integration of systems such as CRM (Customer Relationship Management), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), HRM (Human Resource Management), and analytics provides a holistic view of the business. This makes it easier to coordinate resources and processes, which in turn can help to significantly increase efficiency. Bottlenecks, limitations, and allocation are quickly noticed and addressed. This makes you a more agile company.
• Improved customer experience: With cross-digitalization, you can create a 360-degree view of your customers. This opens up the possibility for more personalized marketing, faster response to customer inquiries, and a better understanding of customer behavior. Investments made in marketing yield greater returns, customers remain satisfied, and you understand more of what and how you act in relation to your customers.
• Better decision-making basis: Data from different parts of the business can be combined to provide better insights and more accurate forecasts. This is essential for strategic decision-making when time is limited and you would like to make a well-considered decision on behalf of the company.
• Cost savings: Efficiency improvements and automation can help to reduce costs, including savings related to the number of years of work required for manual tasks or allocate resources to new and more exciting tasks internally. By 2025, machine learning will create around 97 million new roles, so there is no need to fear new technology.

What gains or savings can cross-digitalization provide?

Although the numbers may vary, there are general gains that you can expect by focusing more on cross-digitalization:

• A better bottom line: Efficiency improvements and increased customer engagement will eventually lead to both higher revenue and profit.
• Better control: Cross-digitalization gives you better control over your company’s processes and data, which reduces risk and increases compliance with regulations.
• Efficiency that gives new opportunities: Automation and process optimization can reduce the need for manual labor in some contexts. Savings in relation to years of work can vary and you can choose to allocate important internal resources to new areas, but it can be significant, especially in tasks that were previously time-consuming and manual. I myself am always working actively to limit manual processes in order to avoid “time thieves” when there are already solutions. Work smarter, not harder.

How can you start with cross-digitalization?

Here are some tips on what you can do to get started on your cross-digitalization journey:

1. Define your goals: Start by clearly defining what you want to achieve with cross-digitalization. Do you want to increase efficiency, improve customer experience, or save costs? Clear goals will guide you through the entire process and it will be easier to show the investment cost vs. benefit realization.
   
2. Map out your current systems and processes: Understand your current systems and processes in depth by getting involved in the work of each individual unit. This way you know what they do, how they work, what they think, and often they have tips for areas for improvement that they themselves can think of. In other words, each individual employee begins the digital journey and shows engagement if you make sure they are heard. Then identify bottlenecks and areas that can be improved through cross-digitalization.
   
3. Build a cross-functional team: Gather experts (employees with long experience or leaders who have developed naturally) from different departments within the organization. This will help to ensure that all perspectives are represented in the cross-digitalization project.
   
4. Choose the right technology: Explore and choose the digital tools and systems that best meet your needs. This can include CRM and ERP solutions, analytics tools, and HRM systems. Different systems have different strengths and some work better in the Nordic market than others. Strategic plans related to expansion beyond national borders will help justify which system you should use.
   
5. Implement in phases: Start with smaller, more manageable projects and then build up. This reduces risk and gives time to adapt to changes. In addition, you will gradually be able to see the improvements and thus have a good foundation to build on.
   
6. Training and change management: Provide the necessary training to employees, and be aware that change management is important to ensure a smooth transition to the new digital processes.
   
7. Measure and adapt: Systems that are already implemented should be continuously measured and adapted to ensure that they meet the goals and deliver the desired return. There are continuous updates with new functionality and what I see with customers is that they only use a fraction of the potential that exists in the systems they have today. You may already have a solution to some of your bottlenecks right under your nose. Therefore, distribute responsibility and let some employees become superusers who get to know the systems you use well. Document the work along the way to ensure that others can take over if one resource drops out and minimize the risk.
   
8. Share the success stories: Share your success stories with others in the industry and learn from their experiences. Collaboration and sharing of knowledge help to accelerate digital transformation and create security. I myself refer customers in the same industries to each other if there are steps that company A has taken that company B should consider.
   
9. Stay up-to-date: Technology and trends are changing rapidly. Continue to monitor and adapt to the market and the competitive situation to be one step ahead of others.
   
10. Start now: Don’t delay or procrastinate. Embark on the journey towards cross-digitalization now if you see a need because it can be the decisive factor for your success.

Conclusion

Cross-digitalization is simple, but a factor that few think of as a beginning to take necessary steps and thus create growth in the company through optimization and insight. Define goals, map out current systems, and build a strong team with a targeted focus. The fourth industrial revolution is coming and cross-digitalization will be a natural strategy for forward-thinking companies. The Internet of Things (IoT) gives us a unique opportunity to connect devices and systems like never before, and this forms the basis for the next wave of innovation and efficiency. Machines, data, and people will collaborate anytime and anywhere. While technology is the key, it is the people who give technology life and purpose. Cross-digitalization is not just about automating tasks, but also about empowering our employees and giving them the tools they need to succeed. It is the people who will drive change and innovation in the organization, and technology is an ally on the journey.

The original article was written by Marcus Solum and posted on LinkedIn (Norwegian language).

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