Why your business needs a digital strategy - And how to build one that works

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, a digital strategy isn’t just a 'nice to have' - it’s a 'must have'. A digital strategy leads the way to a successful digital transformation. Without one, organisations risk falling behind, missing out on innovation because of lethargy or making the wrong digital choices, and leaving themselves vulnerable to disruption.

To explain how to create a successful digital strategy and how to execute on it, we made the infographic Digital strategy in 2 Minutes. It visualises the steps of creation, sharing, execution, measurement, and optimisation, illustrating the practical benefits of a well-defined strategy.

The core of a digital strategy

A digital strategy is a clear, actionable plan that aligns digital tools and initiatives with your organisation’s goals. It bridges the gap between emerging opportunities and business objectives, helping you adapt, grow, and stay ahead. Think of it as your roadmap for navigating the digital landscape, ensuring every technological investment and action moves you closer to success.

Creation - Shape your strategy

A strong digital strategy starts with clarity. Begin by defining your strategic goals and identifying the digital strategies that will help you achieve them. Use frameworks like the TIMAF Digital Strategy Game to guide your process.

This 12-step approach - covering everything from setting goals and understanding pain points to defining success factors and target audiences - ensures your strategy is both comprehensive and actionable.

For example, if your goal is to improve customer engagement, your digital strategy might include leveraging data analytics to personalise interactions or adopting new communication platforms. The key is to align your digital initiatives with your overarching business strategy, creating a seamless connection between your intentions and execution.

Sharing - Align and empower your team

A strategy only works if everyone understands it. Share your digital strategy across the organisation to align teams, focus efforts, and empower employees to contribute. Transparency turns vision into action, making your digital transformation faster and more effective.

Ask yourself: Does every team member understand how their work ties into the digital strategy?

Execution - Turn plans into action

Execution is where the rubber meets the road. Many digital strategies fail here. Bring teams together in collaborative spaces like an Obeya: a visual management room where progress is tracked in real time. This fosters alignment, accelerates problem-solving, and keeps everyone accountable.

Measurement - Track what matters

What gets measured gets improved. Define clear metrics and use them to track progress. Regularly review data with your strategy team and stakeholders to celebrate wins, address gaps, and refine your approach.

Optimisation - Evolve and adapt

A digital strategy isn’t set in stone. Create a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback and agility drive progress. Stay open to learning, iterating, and optimising your strategy to stay ahead of the curve.

Try it out yourself!

You can download the Digital strategy in 2 Minutes and the TIMAF Digital strategy poster and discuss this roadmap with your team.

'Strategy in Digital Transformation' book

Our infographic and the strategy poster give you a quick overview, but our book Strategy in Digital Transformation provides deeper insights. It delves into the nuances of digital transformation, offering practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape.

The book provides actionable frameworks, real-world case studies, and practical tools to help you craft and implement a winning digital strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your digital journey, the book offers insights tailored to your needs.

In the book, you will find:

• Case studies - Real-world examples of businesses that successfully implemented digital strategies, highlighting their challenges and triumphs.

  
  

• Frameworks - Actionable frameworks that guide you through the process of creating, executing, and optimising your digital strategy.

  
  

• Expert insights - Perspectives from industry leaders and experts on the future of digital transformation and the importance of staying ahead of the curve.
  

• Workshop instructions - Step by step instructions on how to facilitate a digital strategy workshop.

With Strategy in Digital Transformation, you will be well-equipped to craft, execute and continuously optimise a compelling digital strategy that drives success.

Buy the book!