Building and Maintaining Momentum

This post is part of our continuing series, Your Guide to a Successful Digital Transformation.

How do you build and maintain momentum for a digital transformation initiative that will take place over the course of months or years?

Think of this as a new product launch. You need to build interest, enthusiasm and momentum by creating an understanding of the benefits and challenges among key stakeholders. Most companies have innovation influencers, who are the first to adopt new technologies. Identify these employees and find ways to get them involved. As the program takes effect, promote success across the organization. Find ways to engage employees and create buy-in with reward sharing programs and competitions. At every step of the way, involve as many employees as possible in the road map to the finish line.

Once you have defined an implementation cadence for the program, you can continue the reward structure and engage your workforce for big solutions with “Grand Challenges” that make significant change or “hackathons” that combine innovation, dedicated time, and motivation. You may want to develop a “Skunkworks” team to provide ongoing input and ideas.

Ideation

• A committee reviews submissions for defined value criteria. Accepted solutions are awarded a $100 Amazon Gift Card
• Once per quarter, all submitters with a complete submission, regardless of acceptance, are entered for a $500 gift card drawing
• Tiger teams for in-depth exploration receive a $2,500 bonus per 6-week focus time

• Highlight selected employees in Digital Transformation Update emails
• Showcase employees or teams in town hall events with executive management
• Create a submission competition between groups

Execution

•  “Grand Challenge” awards: $25,000+.This sounds like a large bonus, but for solutions that may save hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, it is worth the investment!
• Annual “Winners Circle” Dinner with Executive Management for completed or best value projects.
• Quarterly bonuses for one year based on actualized (not estimated!) cost savings.

Keep in mind that different types of recognition may resonate with different employees. To maintain momentum, create a balance of contests, public recognition and gifts. Rewards should address both ideation and Return on Investment, and your reward structure should include a validation and accountability function prior to payment.

For information about how we can assist in your organization’s digital transformation, contact us. We are here to help.

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