The Digital Enterprise does not eat junk food 

Leading organizations distinguish themselves through their approach to digital opportunities and issues. The main difference from laggards is that leaders of truly digital organizations do not blindly pursue trends and developments, but approach them strategically and proactively. This is the difference between the so-called ‘Catch-up Enterprise’ and the Digital Enterprise. 

Catch-up: surviving instead of thriving 

Many companies still operate as Catch-up Enterprises. They wait until external pressure forces them to embrace new technologies. This race to catch up often leads to reactive decisions that sometimes help them keep their heads above water, without really making progress. The focus is more on survival than on growth and innovation. 

This type of company only adopts technologies when they have no other choice. Or they have no higher plan, which leads to thoughtless and reactive ‘snacking’ on often irrelevant digital solutions within the organizational context. Catch-up then means ‘add a little ketchup and eat!’ While a healthy basis for sustainable growth is lacking. 

Digital: vision and action hand in hand 

The leaders of a true Digital Enterprise have a completely different approach. Here, digital technology is not seen as a necessity for survival, but as a force for thriving. These organizations proactively integrate technology into their core strategy, with every step aimed at creating efficiency, increasing competitive advantage and exploiting opportunities. 

Their success rests on five building blocks: a strong customer experience, a robust operational backbone, a flexible digital infrastructure, shared data and so-called ‘digital smartness’. In combination, these core components ensure a culture of continuous improvement and agility, allowing the organization not only to respond to changes, but also to predict and capitalize on them. 

Anderson MacGyver developed the Digital Enterprise model to help companies develop (further) digitally. In addition to the five building blocks, it places the organization within the context of the digital ecosystem of customers, partners and other stakeholders. The idea is that companies and their leaders can work better and more deliberately on their digital development through insight and visualization. 

Dare to choose sustainable growth 

It is up to you as a leader to shape the future of your organization. Are you in the sometimes tempting, but reactive Catch-up mode? Or are you ready for the transition to sustainable digital growth and development? The path to proactive digital strategies starts with the right insights and tools. 

Learn how to transform your organization into a Digital Enterprise. Read our whitepaper ‘How to become a Digital Enterprise?’ or contact us. Take the first step towards a successful future.