• Current students
      • Student centre
        Enrol on a course/exam
        My enrolments
        Exam results
        Mock exams
        Learning Hub data privacy policy
      • Course information
        Students FAQs
        Student induction
        Course enrolment information
        Key dates
        Book distribution
        Timetables
        FAE Elective Information
      • Exams
        Exam Info: CAP1
        E-assessment information
        Exam info: CAP2
        Exam info: FAE
        Reasonable accommodation and extenuating circumstances
        Timetables for exams & interim assessments
        Interim assessments past papers & E-Assessment mock solutions
        Main examination past papers
        Information and appeals scheme
        JIEB: NI Insolvency Qualification
      • CA Diary resources
        Mentors: Getting started on the CA Diary
        CA Diary for Flexible Route FAQs
      • Admission to membership
        Joining as a reciprocal member
        Conferring dates
        Admissions FAQs
      • Support & services
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        CASSI
        Student supports and wellbeing
        Audit qualification
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
    • Students

      View all the services available for students of the Institute

      Read More
  • Becoming a student
      • About Chartered Accountancy
        The Chartered difference
        What do Chartered Accountants do?
        5 Reasons to become a Chartered Accountant
        Student benefits
        School Bootcamp
        Third Level Hub
        Study in Northern Ireland
        Events
        Blogs
        Member testimonials 2022
        Become a Chartered Accountant podcast series
      • Entry routes
        College
        Working
        Accounting Technicians
        School leavers
        Member of another body
        International student
        Flexible Route
        Training Contract
      • Course description
        CAP1
        CAP2
        FAE
        Our education offering
      • Apply
        How to apply
        Exemptions guide
        Fees & payment options
        External students
      • Training vacancies
        Training vacancies search
        Training firms list
        Large training firms
        Milkround
        Training firms update details
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contract
        Interview preparation and advice
        The rewards on qualification
        Tailoring your CV for each application
        Securing a trainee Chartered Accountant role
      • Support & services
        Becoming a student FAQs
        Who to contact for employers
        Register for a school visit
    • Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More
  • Members
      • Members Hub
        My account
        Member subscriptions
        Annual returns
        Application forms
        CPD/events
        Member services A-Z
        District societies
        Professional Standards
        Young Professionals
        Careers development
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
        Overseas members new test
      • Members in practice
        Going into practice
        Managing your practice FAQs
        Practice compliance FAQs
        Toolkits and resources
        Audit FAQs
        Other client services
        Practice Consulting services
        What's new
      • Overseas members
        Key supports
        Overseas members news
        Tax for returning Irish members
      • In business
        Networking and special interest groups
        Articles
      • Public sector
        Public sector news
        Public sector presentations
      • Support & services
        Letters of good standing form
        Member FAQs
        AML confidential disclosure form
        CHARIOT/Institute Technical content
        TaxSource Total
        The Educational Requirements for the Audit Qualification
        Pocket diaries
        Thrive Hub
    • Members

      View member services

      Read More
  • Employers
      • Training organisations
        Authorise to train
        Training in business
        Manage my students
        Incentive Scheme
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        Securing and retaining the best talent
        Tips on writing a job specification
      • Training
        In-house training
        Training tickets
      • Recruitment services
        Hire a qualified Chartered Accountant
        Hire a trainee student
      • Non executive directors recruitment service
      • Support & services
        Hire members: log a job vacancy
        Firm/employers FAQs
        Training ticket FAQs
        Authorisations
        Hire a room
        Who to contact for employers
    • Employers

      Services to support your business

      Read More
☰
  • The Institute
☰
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Students
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Archive
  • Podcasts
  • Contact us
Search
View Cart 0 Item
  • Home/
  • Accountancy Ireland/
  • Home/
  • AI articles

Selling digital transformation to nay-sayers

Jul 15, 2022

Change can be difficult, especially for experienced professionals and established functions within an organisation. So, how can you persuade the nay-sayers to get on board with digital transformation? Laurent Charpenter explains.

The term ‘digital transformation’ has been bandied about so much that it has almost lost its meaning, but the concept is simple.

Digital transformation involves the use of technology to automate outdated, often manual, tasks and give corporate stakeholders better access to important data so that they make more informed and effective business decisions.

The pandemic forced many organisations to adopt digital transformation by integrating video calls, video conferencing and remote working into their daily business practices.

Not every finance professional is sold on operating smarter with technology, even if they really need to, however. Some are happy to stick with tried-and-true practices.

So, how do you sell change to people who don’t necessarily want it? First, you need to get to the bottom of this resistance.

Reluctance to change

Several factors could explain a reluctance to embrace digital transformation.

In accounts payable, for example, it is common for organisations to put off digital transformation because of the time needed to implement and train everyone up on the new processes.

Some organisations fear the changes needed to automate will be too costly, especially when more ‘pressing’ challenges should take priority.

At the same time, others might feel that they have been the industry leader for so long that they don’t see any immediate benefit to changing a process that has been proven to work.

Getting buy-in

Getting buy-in at all levels in an organisation can help to ensure a smooth digital transformation.

The support of those who will use new technologies and processes regularly is crucial in gaining approval from the top decision-makers, because these everyday users are key influencers in the process.

If you are introducing a new automating accounts payable system, for example, you will need complete buy-in from the finance team.

As a finance team leader or CFO, it’s your job to educate the end-users first by talking through their existing problems, then providing valuable free resources such as white papers and industry reports to start conversations around how new technology can be beneficial.

Digital transformation needn’t involve a significant change or the complete overhaul of a process in order to be effective.

Organisations resistant to change can start small by targeting a department or function that is struggling, or one with the most potential to deliver a high return on investment.

The organisation – and the people who oversee these processes – need time to recognise the benefits of the digitisation of one process or function, before proceeding to a complete digital transformation. By taking small steps, you are more likely to get buy-in as you progress.

Making the leap

Change can be hard sometimes, especially when making a technological leap. Some organisations will resist more than others.

The leaders most likely to succeed are those who believe in the transition, and can educate those above and below them in the organisation about the benefits of digital transformation.

Laurent Charpentier is CEO at Yooz.

The latest news to your inbox

Useful links

  • Current students
  • Becoming a student
  • Knowledge centre
  • Shop
  • District societies

Get in touch

Dublin HQ

Chartered Accountants
House, 47-49 Pearse St,
Dublin 2, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 637 7200
Belfast HQ

The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast
Antrim BT2 8BG, United Kingdom.

TEL: +44 28 9043 5840

Connect with us

CAW Footer Logo-min
GAA Footer Logo-min
CARB Footer Logo-min
CCAB-I Footer Logo-min

© Copyright Chartered Accountants Ireland 2020. All Rights Reserved.

☰
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Event privacy notice
LOADING...

Please wait while the page loads.