GROOVE Toolkit_Final Version_090223

51 www.grooveproject.eu This project has been funded with support from the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Programme. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. [Project Number: 2021-1-CY01-KA220-VET-000033254] Developing a Digital Action Plan Many organizations in traditional and non-traditional industries aspire to reinvent their products, services, and business models to incorporate or use advanced technologies, like machine learning, in much more fundamental ways, and this is exactly what digital transformation is all about. Yet, an organization needs to first compose a solid digital action plan to maximize its benefit from the incorporation of digital technology and make sure it aligns with its purpose and aims. To do so, some initial steps need to be followed: Step 1: Setting the foundations Establishing your goals and direction is critical for the success of a digital transformation action plan. One of the first things you need to do is to identify whether there is an already established mission statement or a vision that guides your long-term work. If it exists, you might need to amend or update your vision/mission to be aligned with the new organizational goals. Next, you need to define the priorities that will guide your work mid-term. Also, you need to think, is this a good time to initiate such changes? Do you need to cultivate your own skills first or your employees’ skills? Digital transformation can give you an opportunity to review your overall business development and allows you to get an advantage against competitors. To do so the establishment of a vision and objectives for the transformation is crucial. This will allow you to determine the next steps of the digital transformation strategy to maximize the quality of the results. Step 2: Assess the Current Market Have you carried out a needs analysis in your target community or the country where your organization is established? What do the learners/customers need? What does the market need? How will your digital upgrades benefit both the learners and the market? What difference do you have to offer? What is the size of the market? Is there room for growth? What is your market share? Who are your biggest competitors and what is their progress over time? Your digital transformation strategy should be customer-centric. Keep in mind that customers look for something personalized that responds to their needs. If you are a VET educator, you need to also pay attention to the motives of the learners. Analyzing the current market trends will help you create a more relevant strategy that will be more efficient both for the organization and the learners. Key takeaways: • Make sure you’re solving a real problem or addressing an unmet need. • Look at wider market trends to see if there is an opportunity. • Develop your brand positioning in alignment with the digital upgrades to attract customers.