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The old economy knows you can’t survive forever without going digital. When the big players become keen on learning from the young guns, digital transformation has arrived. Lucky for us, we’ve had the pleasure to work for some of the biggest companies in Germany, from pharma and banking to beauty and consumer goods. Based on this experience we’ve created a set of guidelines featuring seven of our top insights to prime companies for digital change:

1. Digitalization – Define the battlefield

Digitalization is a mega trend happening on various dimensions in economy and society. Managing “digital change” is the overall mission, but a far cry from a concrete task. Ask specifically what kind of challenge you face. Often it is not the entire business or product that changes, sometimes it is just tiny details, like the way people get access to it.

2. Build small teams to gain speed

Digital change is a fast process. Decisions we take today can already be outdated tomorrow. Big companies are usually not agile decision makers, as they  face complex hierarchies and processes to implement new products, services or even just a post on Facebook. When it comes to tackling the intimidating process of digital change, it helps to build small and agile units who are obliged to take decisions.

3. Jump in at the deep end

Digital projects tend to lack best practices and experience, so they require a risk-taking attitude to go out with products at an early stage. That allows to fail early instead of burning a lot of money before failing lately. Get rid of a marathon of internal feedback-loops, go out and improve the product together with your (potential) customers. According to Linkedin Co-Founder Reid Hoffman: “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.”

4. Use free tools

One thing is for sure: most problems you are facing in digital change are not unique. Your problem has been solved somewhere on the globe and often there is a tool for it. Corporates tend not to allow employees to use free communication or project management tools like Dropbox or Slack. Data security is a valid concern, but don’t meet trouble halfway.

5. Ask the Interns

Making coffee? Listen and learn! In times of digital change, young people can be game changers for you and your company. More often than not, they are more fluent in Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and digital businesses than the 40 years old senior manager. Don’t hesitate to put them in the driver’s seat.

6. Go for C-Level support

Small teams and less feedback loops – those can be ambitious goals for complex, hierarchical corporate structures. The best way to avoid long discussions is to be backed by members of the board. C-Level approval can be the ace you hold in never-ending discussions and processes.

7. Build a startup network

Startups are shaking up industries wherever you look. No need to see them as a threat, though. Partner up with them and combine the best of both worlds. It can offer you new ways to face your problems and even provide promising talent for your company.