A Digital Transformation project can have a tremendous impact on a business and its bottom line, but you must find the perfect partner to make your concept a reality.
Enter: a slew of Digital Transformation hiring considerations — considerations that can be overwhelming to the business leader who thinks, “I just want to hire someone and get the job done!” Alas, there is no one-size-fits-all solution and finding the right Digital Transformation partner is essential for success.
But what questions should you be asking and what are the most important considerations when hiring a Digital Transformation developer?
Are They Open to a True Partnership?
First and foremost, you’ll want to be sure that you are considering a company that will serve as your Digital Transformation partner. Emphasis on the word “partner.”
A segment of service providers simply aren’t willing to go above and beyond that “service provider” role. They are primarily concerned with churning out code at maximum speed and they have no desire for any engagement beyond what is needed to get the job done as quickly as possible. The companies that use this approach tend to have lower rates, although the quality and end result are generally reflective of that price point — the end result is a much lower quality than what you might find with a true Digital Transformation partner.
A partner will walk into your project, ready to take the extra steps required to achieve exceptional results and ROI for your Digital Transformation project.
For instance, the team at 7T will take time to understand your business, with company leaders even performing site visits to get a good feel for an organization’s needs, pain points and processes. Our team views each Digital Transformation project as an opportunity for collaboration, whereby the client is highly engaged and involved throughout the process from start to finish. And speaking of process, that is the next consideration to address.
What Does Their Digital Transformation Process Look Like?
Inquire about the Digital Transformation company’s process. How do they approach each project? What can you expect if you choose to move forward?
Knowing what to expect is important because it instills a sense of confidence. Humans are inherently more comfortable with the known versus the unknown. This knowledge will also allow you to prepare more effectively, resulting in more efficient collaboration sessions and meetings with your Digital Transformation partner. Ideally, they should provide you with an overview of dates or time frames for every phase of the project. This way, you can align your schedule and ensure that the Digital Transformation developers have everything they need to succeed.
Understanding a company’s process is also important because it allows you to perform an apples-to-apples comparison if you are considering several candidates. With a firm grasp of what to expect, you will be positioned to choose the firm with the process that feels most comfortable.
If a company is unable or unwilling to articulate their process, it’s time to run like the wind. A disorganized, scattershot approach is surprisingly common and those who lack a defined, well-considered process generally produce subpar results.
Have They Worked With Clients in Your Industry?
Industry experience can be extremely valuable when working with a Digital Transformation partner. At the end of the day, a Digital Transformation project aims to solve a problem, improve a process or expand capabilities. But each industry has unique needs, challenges and processes that must be carefully considered during each Digital Transformation project. These points are actually very central to the success of these endeavors. A company with prior experience in an industry will have insights that can be leveraged to provide you with high-quality technology that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Therefore, it is prudent to seek out a Digital Transformation partner with experience working with clients in your industry. That’s not to say that a company that is lacking experience in a certain area should be passed-over, but it is wise to give preference to a candidate that has worked with similar companies.
Do They Provide Related Services Beyond Digital Transformation Development?
Developing an incredible enterprise software platform or the most engaging mobile app is great. But a Digital Transformation project doesn’t end when the coding and testing is finished. There are a number of subsequent steps that must be considered such as data migration, implementation and deployment, along with user training.
The best Digital Transformation partners will be able to assist with the entire process, not just part of it. And in cases where they don’t handle the process in-house, they should be able to recommend reputable service providers whom they’ve collaborated with in the past. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have this incredible technology, with no idea of how to deploy it or use it!
It is important that your chosen Digital Transformation partner is involved in these other steps too because they are all interconnected to some degree. Without collaboration, the project is far more likely to fail.
Finding the Perfect Digital Transformation Partner
Finding the right Digital Transformation partner can make all the difference. As you engage prospective candidates, look for them to be interviewing you to some degree. The best companies won’t accept just anyone as a client; they focus their efforts on clients that will see the greatest advantage from a partnership. These top tier Digital Transformation specialists will turn away prospective clients if they feel a project is apt to fail.
At 7T, we develop transformative technology using an approach of “Digital Transformation Driven by Business Strategy.” The 7T development team works with company leaders who are seeking to solve problems and drive ROI through Digital Transformation. We then provide collaborative, multi-phased Digital Transformation solutions to clients in all business sectors.
Our offices are situated in Dallas, Houston and Austin, but our clientele spans the globe. If you’re ready to develop an enterprise Digital Transformation solution such as a custom enterprise software platform, mobile app or another piece of technology for your organization, contact 7T today.
