Digitization in the middle class: How to successfully take your employees

Key Takeaway: The biggest success factor in SME digitalization is the employees themselves. Acceptance is created through early involvement in planning, gradual introduction of new tools, individualized training formats, and visible support from management.

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Digitization is no longer an option for medium-sized companies, but a need to remain competitive. But the introduction of new technologies and processes is only half the rent.

The key success factor for a successful digitalization in the middle class is the acceptance and commitment of employees.

If people in the company are not taken along from the start, projects are threatened to fail and investments are not being paid out.

In this post you will learn how to inspire your employees for digital change and actively integrate them into the process.

Why the integration of employees is so crucial

Short: The digital transformation not only changes workflows, but also often changes the entire corporate culture.

The digital transformation not only changes workflows, but also often changes the entire corporate culture. Employees are faced with new tasks, changing requirements and possibly also with the concern about their own workplace.

Without open communication and active participation, resistances and fears can quickly arise which block the entire process.

The most common obstacles to employee integration

• Comprehensible communication: Employees are not informed or are not informed of the objectives and needs of digitalization.
• Miscellaneous participation: Decisions are taken over the heads of employees without taking into account their expertise and concerns.
• Inadequate qualification: There are no further education and training courses to prepare employees for the new requirements.
• **Anxiety of change:**The concern before the unknown and the loss of the habitant leads to a negative attitude.

Success strategies for employee motivation

Short: In order to overcome these obstacles and to make the employees active contributors of digitalization, a well thought-out strategy is needed.

In order to overcome these obstacles and to make the employees active contributors of digitalization, a well thought-out strategy is needed. The following points have proven themselves in practice:

1. Transparent communication from the beginning

Communicate frankly and honestly about the reasons, goals and expected effects of digitalization. Explain why the changes are necessary and what chances arise for the company and each individual employee.

Use different channels such as employee meetings, newsletters or the intranet to reach everyone.

2. Participation and co-design

actively involve your employees in the design process. Create cross-departmental project teams where employees can contribute their ideas and expertise. So you create not only better solutions, but also a sense of shared responsibility and "we-feeling".

3. Investing in the skills of the future

The Digitalization Mittelstand requires new skills. Offer your employees targeted

References and further reading

Short: The following independent references complement the topics in this article:

The following independent references complement the topics in this article:

• Bitkom – German digital industry association
• German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)
• European Commission – Digital strategy
• MDN Web Docs (Mozilla)
• W3C – World Wide Web Consortium