Digital transformation is more than a business buzzword – and it’s more than simply implementing a trending innovation. It requires leaders to rethink how technology is being used within their company and being prepared to adapt to changing business requirements, and transforming business processes, culture and customer experiences to succeed.

For a successful digital transformation project, it’s crucial that the right culture and environment, as well as the right people are in place from the get-go.

Getting started with digital transformation

Companies globally are investing in technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, alongside investments in data platforms in the cloud and Internet of Things. This investment is driven by the desire to improve efficiency, enhance customer and employee experiences, and to gain a competitive advantage. It also allows companies to scale, address complex challenges and embrace emerging trends. But even with the best digital transformation intentions and vision, some companies stumble at the first hurdle.

Even with the most defined scope and clearest of objectives, without the right skillset in place, digital transformation projects can’t commence. The reasons companies struggle with finding the right skillset is simple:

• They fail to identify the skills needed throughout each stage of the project
• They don’t determine who they’ll need to upskill and who they’ll need to hire
• Their EVP and employer brand simply isn’t strong enough
• Their HR and internal hiring teams aren’t properly briefed and/or trained to embark on a niche candidate search

“When it comes to starting digital transformation programmes, we frequently see a disconnect between HR’s desire to maintain control, versus a hiring manager’s frustration when roles remain unfilled for months,” says Barnaby Parker, CEO at Venquis. “In particular, when it comes to hiring very niche roles, the simple reality is that because HR teams handle everything internally, including staffing, they can often become spread too thin to proactively search for top talent.”

This often leads to a pile up of unfilled vacancies and hiring managers struggle to keep their teams running smoothly. What does this mean for digital transformation projects? They’re delayed, teams are overworked, and opportunities rapidly pass them by.

Partnering with a staffing solutions provider skilled in working with companies on the cusp of digital transformation to attract and retain top talent is essential. At Venquis, we work with some of the biggest companies in Europe to deliver top talent that allows clients to grow and scale at pace – join us.

Building your digital dream team

Digital transformation is all about adapting and innovating quickly. To do this, companies require niche skills and an abundance of talent and dedication. But what roles are needed to build your digital transformation dream team? At Venquis, we’ve built entire digital transformation teams from scratch. We start by looking at some of the core roles needed to ensure projects get off the ground.

Digital Product Manager(s)

A Digital Product Manager plays a major role in the success of digital transformation projects. By bridging the gap between business strategy and technical execution, they ensure that digital products and services meet customer needs and drive business value.

They’re able to develop a clear product vision and roadmap, and often advocate for iterative development processes that allow for continuous improvement. By leveraging data analytics, they track product performance and identify areas of improvement, allowing them to make informed decisions to improve projects.

UX/UI Designers

User experience and interface designers focus on creating intuitive, user-friendly interfaces that directly impact a customer’s user experience – and consequently, project outcomes. In essence, UX/UI designers act as the bridge between technology and its users. They do so by creating intuitive, engaging and accessible interfaces that significantly contributes to the overall success of projects.

Full-Stack Developer(s)

Full-Stack developers are versatile and can work across various aspects of software development. They can handle both front-end and back-end development, allowing for quicker development cycles and faster delivery of products. Full-stack developers are skilled in a variety of programming languages and frameworks, can thrive in agile environments and are adaptable to new technologies and trends.

Data Scientist(s)

No digital transformation project is complete without a data scientist. By extracting valuable insights from large data sets, data scientists can uncover trends, patterns and correlations that enable data-driven decision making. Equally, by analysing historical data, they can help identify potential risks and opportunities.

Cloud Architect(s):

Cloud architects develop comprehensive cloud roadmaps that help align cloud adoption with overall business objectives and ongoing strategies, thus playing a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation and management of cloud-based solutions within digital transformation projects.

Cybersecurity Specialist(s):

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for companies of all sizes. The increasing use of technology across organisations also increases the risk of cyberattacks. As such, cybersecurity specialists play a crucial role in protecting a company’s digital assets. They’re able to identify risks, mitigate threats, ensure compliance and educate employees to help them recognise and avoid potential threats, they help companies maintain a secure and resilient digital environment.

The essential skills needed for digital transformation projects

Digital transformation projects are complex processes, and they require a diverse range of skills. Here are some of the most essential skills we look out for when placing candidates with our clients:

• Technical proficiency
• Problem solving abilities
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Customer focus
• Business acumen

Equally important is a person’s soft and people skills. Successful digital transformation relies on collaboration, communication and innovation within teams. Here are some key people skills we consider to be incredibly important:

Communication:

Active listeners who can understand another’s perspective and respond thoughtfully are crucial members of any team. In a digital transformation project, having the ability to articulate ideas and concepts clearly and provide constructive feedback, and receive feedback, is incredibly important to ensure the project runs smoothly.

Collaboration:

As they say, teamwork makes the dream work! Being able to work effectively within a team setting – sharing ideas, contributing towards a shared goal – is vital. Relationships are important, and building strong ones with colleagues, stakeholders and customers ensures digital transformation projects run smoothly.

Adaptability:

Being flexible and open-minded is important in a professional setting. Digital transformation projects may often present new challenges and changing circumstances that require people to consider different perspectives and approaches.

Leadership:

Inspiring and empowering teams when working on exciting digital transformation projects is essential – particularly when facing hurdles and challenges. Motivating colleagues to achieve their goals and empowering them to succeed is the cornerstone of an excellent team.

Negotiation:

Being willing to compromise and find common ground when dealing with potential conflict, alongside the ability to negotiate and reach mutually beneficial agreements when working on large scale projects is essential. No one wants to work with someone who is unwilling to budge and see another person’s point of view!

Delivering digital transformation, the Venquis way

Building the right team is essential for the success of a digital transformation project. By investing in the right people, with the right technical and personal skillset, companies can start to build the foundations for future innovation, growth and long-term competitiveness.

At Venquis, we have supported a wealth of clients on their digital transformation journeys, including Transdev who have been working with Venquis for a number of years. We have placed a number of roles so far and are currently working with the company to place even more.

Find out more about Transdev here, and if you’d like to chat to us about how we can support you on your digital transformation journey, get in touch today.