The world is in a technological era, and technology is influencing the way we live and work. Therefore, to be productive, relevant, and efficient in this era, you must have digital intelligence. More so, your team’s digital intelligence plays a vital role in the advancement of your business.
Digital IQ is the measure of a company’s ability to profit, harness, and leverage technology. Digital skills have gone way beyond just the ability of your team to operate computers, MS word, email, or social media management. The list of digital skills in our modern world is so vast, you know, ‘everything is digital.’ Here are some examples of digital skills your team should have:
- e-learning
- Analytics
- Programming
- Real-time tracking and reporting
- Digital marketing
- User experience and human-centered design
- Solving technical problems and errors
- Information and data literacy
- Cybersecurity and privacy
Empowering your team with these digital skills is your opportunity to help them stay relevant in the digital world. Here are some practical tips that will help you improve the digital skills of your team:
1. It Starts with the Management Team
Introducing new digital skills to your team is not a process that happens swiftly and spontaneously. It becomes easier when it starts with the management team. Therefore, it’s up to the leaders to be pioneers of the digital improvement they hope to see in their team.
A recent business report shows that only about 50% of business leaders are digitally intelligent. This is a big challenge for the overall growth of the business because, as a senior manager, you should always be the first to embrace new digital skills, tools, platforms, and apps that will help enhance the productivity of the business at large. Dare to make a difference; this action can increase your overall productivity by 100%.
2. Understand and Study Your Team
Another important thing you need to do is critically analyze your team members to understand their digital literacy level. It is best to discuss the topic with them directly. You’ll get to hear their opinions and figure out the skills they need to acquire to aid their performance. When you discover that some tools are slowing their productivity down, it’s time to seek other alternatives. You should also make them understand the ultimate goal of what you’re trying to achieve by taking this step. The goal may cover any of the following:
- Reduce operational costs
- Enhance internal communication processes
- Speed up product delivery
- Improve service and customer satisfaction
3. Find the Best Skills They Need
Now that you have a thorough understanding of the areas you need to improve on, it’s time to search for the best skills and tools that your team needs to upgrade your company’s productivity level. The internet is full of tools and new skills to learn that you may even get confused, not knowing which one to choose. As a tip, stir your team members to learn skills associated with their job functions.
4. Organize a Sensitization Meeting for Your Team
Another important tip in this process is to organize a sensitization meeting for your team members and explain to them the reasons for introducing new skills. One thing you must note is that no matter how amazing a new skill or technology might be, some team members will try to question your decision. Prepare for negative reactions from some team members and don’t get offended. Emphasize the benefits of embracing the new development because that will be their biggest motivation to embracing it wholeheartedly.
5. Take Full Responsibility
You need to take full responsibility and prepare for live training sessions. If you need to hire a professional to come to teach them the new skills you want them to learn, then do it. This will position them to become better in performing their duties.
6. Prepare Your Team for Lifelong Learning
The world is in a state of constant transformation. New technologies and skills keep emerging every now and then. Therefore, you must encourage your team to be flexible and keep learning on their own. Some skills they currently have will become irrelevant and obsolete over time. Hence if they want to be relevant in their area of specialization, they need to be current and learn the latest skills.
7. Organize On-the-Job Training
Once you have an understanding of the kind of skills and training your team needs, begin to provide it for them. Find an expert in the field to teach each team member. Allow them to take the course during working hours. This will make them see the need to take the training seriously.
Conclusion
Digital intelligence has gone beyond merely having computer skills. To strive in this digital era, your team needs digital collaboration & analytical skills. Most business leaders complain about the digital inadequacies of their team without doing anything about it. You need to take some deliberate and intentional steps to improve the digital skills of your team.
