5 signs that show it's time to involve an innovation expert

5 signs that show it is time to involve an innovation expert

1. Your digital growth is stagnating: KPIs are not being met, digital tools are underutilized, and your conversion rates are decreasing.
2. Your technologies are outdated: Outdated systems slow down your teams, increase costs, and expose your company to cyber risks.
3. You are missing out on market trends: You are not identifying weak signals or reacting quickly enough to emerging opportunities.
4. Your teams resist change: Low engagement, decreasing productivity, and lack of understanding of strategies are hindering your projects.
5. Your market position is weakening: Loss of market share, decrease in revenue, and .

Why act now?

• 87% of companies face obstacles in turning their ideas into concrete projects.
• 70% of IT budgets are spent on maintenance, limiting innovation.
• Companies that innovate experience a revenue growth of 16% higher than their competitors.

How an expert can help you?

• Develop a clear and measurable strategy.
• Modernize your technological systems.
• Identify market opportunities.
• Support your teams through change.
• Strengthen your competitiveness.

Act now to turn these challenges into opportunities.

Sign 1: Digital growth is at a standstill

Signs of stagnant growth

Stagnation in the digital field is a reality. According to data, over 70% of digital initiatives fail, often due to poorly defined objectives and a lack of progress monitoring. Additionally, 50% of companies do not establish metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate their digital success^[4].

Here are some indicators that may signal stagnation:

Indicator	Warning Sign	Impact on the Company
Customer Engagement	Reduced interactions	Decreased loyalty
Conversion Rate	Stagnation or decrease	Revenue loss
Digital Adoption	Low utilization of digital tools	Compromised profitability
KPI Performance	Unmet objectives	Decline in competitiveness

It is essential to act promptly in response to these signals.

"Digital transformation metrics should put customers first and encourage employees to take ownership of results so that a company can create channels that generate new revenue growth." - Louis Columbus, Former Contributor ^[3]

These challenges require concrete and immediate actions.

Solutions to revive growth

To revive digital growth, a structured approach is needed. Companies that adopt a comprehensive change management strategy are six times more likely to succeed in their digital transformation^[7].

For medium-sized companies with an annual revenue of less than 850 million euros, the total cost of ownership related to digital transformation represents between 3% and 5% of their revenue^[6]. Here's how to optimize this investment:

• Develop a clear strategy: A precise direction is essential. Without vision, 40% of organizations achieve only a quarter of their goals^[5].
• Adopt a phased approach: Start with pilot projects aligned with your overall goals and define measurable KPIs to track progress^[8].
• Invest in automation: Automation frees up resources for strategic tasks and promotes the development of internal skills^[9].

Engaging an expert can also provide concrete solutions, such as:

• Designing tailored training programs for internal needs
• Implementing efficient collaborative tools
• Installing advanced performance tracking systems
• Promoting a culture of continuous improvement

External support can provide proven methods to overcome obstacles and boost digital growth.

Sign 2: Outdated technology is holding you back

Problems caused by outdated systems

Aging systems slow down performance. On average, employees lose 46 minutes per day dealing with issues related to outdated technologies ^[12]. These problems increase the risks of cyberattacks, inflate maintenance costs, and cause unexpected interruptions.

"Using outdated software and hardware poses significant risks to productivity and security. As technology advances, outdated systems become increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats." – Adivi ^[10]

Take the example of the medical sector: 53% of connected devices have known critical vulnerabilities ^[11]. These vulnerabilities can have serious consequences, both on operational continuity and data security.

Modernizing systems: a thoughtful approach

To address these issues, professionals often prefer a gradual and structured approach. A complete overhaul can entail significant risks, such as the loss of essential data or major disruptions. This is why a step-by-step modernization is often recommended.

"The larger the overhaul, the greater the risk of losing critical knowledge or disrupting essential operations. At 8th Light, we advocate for an evolutionary approach - a step-by-step modernization that maintains system functionality while gradually introducing improvements." – 8th Light ^[14]

Here's how experts proceed:

• Diagnose existing systems: Identify weaknesses and establish a clear plan.
• Plan a phased migration: Transition gradually to avoid interruptions.
• Train teams: Support employees for effective adoption of new technologies.

The example of Equifax illustrates the importance of this approach. A vulnerability related to outdated software led to major repercussions for the company ^[13]. Modernizing systems is not only a technical necessity but also a lever to remain competitive and avoid costly incidents.

Sign 3: You are missing market trends

Missed opportunities

Failing to act can be costly. Digital transformation, once spread over several years, has now accelerated by 3 to 4 years ^[1]. Moreover, the proportion of digital products in portfolios has progressed at a pace equivalent to 7 years of evolution ^[1].

"According to Igor Ansoff, a weak signal is an early, low-intensity piece of information announcing a trend, threat, or opportunity." ^[15]

Take a concrete example: by the end of 2022, an energy sector company identified weak signals, such as building permits and job offers in the chemistry field. These indicators revealed the emergence of a competitor in lithium-sulfur battery production ^[15].

How to identify new market opportunities

To stay ahead, it is crucial to establish a well-organized strategic watch. Here are some practical tips:

• Analyze and monitor the market:
  • Use social listening tools to track online conversations and competitors' movements.
  • Evaluate and measure the detected signals to guide your decisions.
  • Train your teams to recognize and exploit emerging opportunities.
• React quickly to detected signals: A striking example is that of a South Korean high-tech company that adjusted its strategy in 2020. Through social listening, it identified criticisms about the autonomy of its batteries, as well as positive feedback on the photo quality of its products. This information allowed it to realign its priorities ^[15].

It is interesting to note that 87% of companies consider transforming ideas into tangible results as their main challenge ^[2]. Ignoring these signals can lead to delays that weaken the company's position in an ever-evolving market.

To avoid missing these opportunities, start today to identify market signals and turn them into competitive advantages.

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Sign 4: Your teams are resisting change

Signs of resistance to change

Resistance to change can take various forms, sometimes subtle, sometimes more obvious. Did you know that only 15% of employees fully understand their management's strategy^[16], and that only 22% of front-line employees appreciate stepping out of their comfort zone^[16]? This lack of understanding can create internal tensions and hinder the adoption of new initiatives.

Here are some indicators that signal resistance to change in an organization:

Indicator	Manifestation	Impact
Productivity	Decreased performance, frequent errors	Project slowdown
Engagement	Absence from meetings, lack of participation	Delays in decision-making
Communication	Spread of rumors, formation of closed groups	Tense work environment
Performance	Increased absenteeism, staff turnover	Loss of talent and skills

These signals indicate that it is time to act to reverse this negative trend. A thoughtful and structured intervention is necessary to restore a favorable climate.

How to make teams more open to change

To overcome resistance, a clear and empathetic approach is needed. According to McKinsey, nearly 70% of change initiatives fail due to employee resistance^[17]. So, how can mindsets evolve? Here are some suggestions:

• Communicate transparently: Explain the reasons for change, its benefits, and challenges. This addresses a common issue, as 85% of employees lack visibility on strategic decisions^[16].
• Actively involve teams:
  • Involve employees in the decision-making process.
  • Offer tailored training and resources.
  • Recognize and value initiatives and successes.

An innovation expert can play a key role in this process. They help establish an environment where change is seen as an opportunity, not a threat. Did you know that 23% of employees' perception of the need for change depends on their confidence in their ability to succeed