Embracing Digital Transformation : Strategies for Global Business Growth in the Post-Pandemic Era

STEKOM University, Indonesia – The International Seminar entitled "Embracing Digital Transformation : Strategies for Global Business Growth in the Post-Pandemic Era" featured a number of international speakers to discuss in more detail about digital transformation strategies for global business growth in the post-pandemic era amidst the unexpected challenges faced and how we best do business, innovate and interact with a world that has experienced major changes.

Seminar Opener :

1.    Dr. Joseph Teguh Santoso (Chancellor of STEKOM University) Indonesia

Seminar Speakers :

1.    Dr. Yobbe Lungu (Director of Quality Assurance) DMIJSBU, Malawi

2.    Md. Safaet Hossain (Additional Director IQAC & Head Dept of Comp Science & Engineering) CU, Bangladesh

3.    Ida Hendriyani, M. Hum. (Lecturer of Computer Systems Department) STEKOM, Indonesia

Hosts :Anggi Novita Sari (International Affairs) STEKOM, Indonesia 

This international seminar discusses digital transformation strategies for global business growth in the post-pandemic era. The digital world has become a major catalyst for change. In this new era, we must be able to accept and face transformation and develop strategic paths for global business growth. Technological innovation will be the basis for success in facing the complexity of the post-pandemic world. Digital transformation is becoming increasingly important for businesses to remain competitive and relevant. However, on the other handmany organizations are still slow to take advantage of this opportunity.

In recent years, the digital economy has changed the way businesses operate with digital technologies providing advantages such as e-commerce, digital data and artificial intelligence. Digital transformation has had a major impact on global business growth. Digital transformation needs to be supported by a global mindset, especially in facing the Covid-19 pandemic. In this situation, associations and organizations have changed their business models and adopted digital transformation to survive and grow. Digital transformation is when digital technology becomes an integral part of a business, changing the way things work and delivering value to customers. Modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis, cloud computing and internet of things (IoT) are used to improve overall business efficiency and performance.

An industrial business approach allows organizations to leverage technology to improve efficiency and customer experience and support better decision making. Digital transformation will revolutionize business by 2024 with increased use of AI and machine learning, blockchain technology, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), increased cybersecurity as well as the impact of digital information on customer experience. So companies need to invest in digital skills and keep up with the latest technological developments. Digital transformation allows businesses to personalize interactions with customers, increase satisfaction and achieve competitive advantage. In carrying out digital transformation, having innovators and creative thinkers is important because they can drive the development of digital solutions and new business models and identify disruptive innovation opportunities that differentiate their organizations. Apart from that, cyber security is also important in digital transformation because it protects an organization's digital assets and data. So organizations must understand and manage data well. Digital transformation can also shape the future of global business through performance management, customer understanding and digital adaptation.

Regularity in technique augmented reality (AR) is very important in the product design stage. Furthermore, service design is also an important aspect in new era business. Service design involves the connection between people and material communication to create quality services. The goal of service design is to formulate front office and back office strategies that meet customer needs in a relevant and economical manner. Service design aims to create services that are user-friendly and competitive in the market. Examples of user-friendly services are good internet services in hotels or online shopping systems that provide product delivery information. Digitalization also helps in providing online banking services and travel information. In service design, the roles of people, products, partners and processes are needed.

The goal of new ideas is to find ways to improve business operations. There are several techniques for generating ideas such as brainstorming, idea challenge, scamper technique, opposing thinking, brainstorming cards and analogical thinking. Brainstorming is a problem-solving method that involves the spontaneous contribution of creative ideas from people. Intensive discussion and group participation are required in the brainstorming technique. Each group member is encouraged to think hard and suggest ideas based on their knowledge. For example, if a cell phone manufacturer wants to produce a cell phone that is more user friendly or their best product, then they can discuss adding features such as cameras and other supporting applications. Through brainstorming, new ideas can emerge and be translated into digital form. Then the digital transformation process will occur to provide added value to the product. Furthermore, idea challenges can also be carried out in innovation challenges where problems or opportunities are given in the hope of getting creative solutions. Participation from a variety of people in a group can produce new ideas and unique insights. Product design is also an important factor in new product development which includes function, use, economy and aesthetics. Next is the scamper technique, which is a method used for problem solving and creative thinking. The scamper's goal is to make adjustments to some part of an existing idea or process to achieve the best solution. There are seven scamper techniques that can be used when you need ideas, namely substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put to another use, eliminate and reverse. For example, initially cellphones did not have cameras, but through scammer methods, people made adjustments to several parts of the idea so that cellphones were equipped with cameras. The same thing also happens in some other products such as airplanes or vehicles, where people have installed sensors or video screens in their cars to assist in driving.

In this digital era, people are more likely to use digital gadgets such as computers and the internet to send messages via email, WhatsApp and Facebook. Brainstorming card communication technology is similar to brainstorming in that it allows us to express ideas into cards. In this way, we can record our ideas and generate many new ideas. Brainstorming also helps us consider external factors such as societal trends, technology and new regulations in business. Next regarding analog thinking. Analogous thinking is using information from one source to solve problems in another source. For example, if we teach computer accounting in a business class, we can use computer and internet access from other departments or computer labs to find solutions for our students. Analogous thinking can also be used to analyze the success of a business. We can adopt ideas from other businesses that are doing well and apply them to our business.

There are several important factors that need to be considered when creating a product. One of them is ensuring that the products designed are suitable for the current digital era. Current digital systems require designers to understand product demand before making the product. For example, cellphones are basically important for communication, but if you add features such as cameras, Zoom or Google applications, as well as internet capabilities, they will suit the needs of the digital era. Apart from that, another factor that needs to be considered is finishing materials that are compatible and meet standards. Just like cellphone manufacturers have standardized charging sockets, so that this type of charger can be used anywhere. Although there may be some differences depending on the respective type of phone. However, as a designer, you must also consider the materials used in the product to ensure good quality and durability. Then maintenance is also the third important factor to ensure the product remains durable and has an attractive external appearance. The fourth factor is product efficiency which is an important factor to meet high demand. Product efficiency depends directly on product quality. The fifth important factor is the cost ratio, so whatever the cost should not be too expensive or too low but it must be reasonable so that it will attract people's attention. The next factor is fashion interests which must be adapted to current fashion to attract buyers' interest. The final factor is safety, that when designing a product it must be ensured that the product is suitable for use.

Creating images and topics for digital products is an important part of digital product design. There are several stages in product design, including ideation, market research, planning, prototyping, material sourcing, costing and commercialization. Digital transformation is essential for businesses to navigate the pandemic and expand into new markets. In digital transformation, businesses can use technology and digital adoption to achieve business goals and objectives. An example is adopting an electronic learning approach in education during the pandemic. People continue to do online teaching globally. Online learning doesn't just happen because pandemic covid, but also because digital transformation is increasingly developing. Virtual conferences like this are very interesting and important.