A digital strategy is the building block of all cloud-based transformation. Without it, you might invest your money in the wrong areas or solve problems that didn’t need solving.
Sustainability is one of the most crucial aspects of a digital strategy. The long-term effectiveness of any plan is essential. You want your cloud systems to work efficiently for many years, with built-in maintenance and upgrade schedules.
Here are a few ideas for building sustainability into your digital strategy and why it’s so important.
What is digital sustainability?
There are two predominant views on what ‘digital sustainability’ means. The first relates to using technology in business to improve or reduce its impact on the environment, while the second is about using technology to ensure the continued existence of a business.
When taken together, digital sustainability relates to how effective a new ICT system is, both now and in the future. It’s vital for you, your stakeholders, your finances, and even the environment. When something is sustainable, it’s repeatable. It can continue almost indefinitely, at least until technology advances and a better solution is developed
The benefits of sustainability in a digital strategy
There are three aspects to a sustainable digital strategy. These all play an important role when looking to the future of you, your business, and even the collective globe.
- A long-lasting, future-proof business model
- Protecting the environment and livelihoods of individuals
- Attracting younger, sustainability-driven customers
Future-proofing your business
With a sustainable digital strategy, you’re keeping pace with – and perhaps even outpacing – the way the world’s going. Soon, most organisations will have access to the cloud. These advances will leave most traditional enterprises behind as they struggle to fight for business.
Embracing a long-term digital plan means you won’t be one of these statistics.
Environmental considerations
Sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s minds. The world as we know it, powered by oil, gas and coal, cannot keep going the way it has for the last two centuries. We’re running out of time.
Your digital strategy should include aspects of environmental sustainability, such as examining how cloud-based systems reduce your carbon footprint.
Attracting sustainability-driven customers
Creating an environmentally sustainable digital strategy is an important responsibility.
The earth is given to us as stewards and it’s our responsibility to look after it.
So, we need low-impact, well-thought-out solutions that think about the long-term implications for the planet.
Creating these comes with the added benefit of attracting customers, clients and other stakeholders motivated by the same thing.
It’s also important for businesses to choose suppliers whose values at least loosely align with their own. Environmental sustainability isn’t just about sustainability within your own business, but in your supply chain, too. Many people want evidence that a business is preparing for the future, so communicating this clearly to your customers will also help attract people to your business who see the world in the same way you do.
How to implement a sustainable digital strategy
Implement a sustainable digital strategy by assessing all three of the above. There are many aspects to each, so expect to spend a reasonable amount of time developing your plan.
Communication is key. Gather your managers and any responsible, hard-working or shrewd employees they recommend chatting with. Speaking with other stakeholders, such as suppliers, customers, and even neighbours, is also essential. From their feedback, you’ll better understand the most legitimate concerns surrounding your business and gather thoughts and ideas on how to future-proof it.
Allocate a staff member to draw up an initial strategy before going through a few draft and revision phases. Eventually, you’ll end up with a sustainable framework to aim for! Now, it’s time to implement it.
AMDH Services can help you
AMDH Services Ltd is a specialist IT solutions consultant. We work with SMEs, public sector organisations, churches and charities throughout the Midlands, offering bespoke advice for your difficult-to-solve IT problems.
We firmly believe that cloud-based technology is the soundest way to future-proof your business. It’s sweeping quickly across all sectors and means you can be prepared for what the upcoming decades have in store.
Why not contact us for a friendly, commitment-free chat about your situation, budget, and any other concerns regarding digital strategy sustainability? You can reach us on the form below, at info@amdhservicesltd.com or on 01332 322 588.
We look forward to hearing from you!
