The second annualARC Industrial Digital Transformation Top 25report continues to highlight companies that are succeeding at integrating digital technology into all areas of business, fundamentally changing the way they operate and deliver value to customers. ARC developed a rigorous process based on financial performance, a community intelligence based ranking system, and software and sustainability data. Leading companies take a strategic approach, integrating digital technology throughout their value chains. Tesla, with its Digital First approach ranks #2 in this report.
Digital transformation is a whole new way of transacting businesses, supporting customers, leveraging the available services, and adapting to a volatile and fiercely competitive marketplace. The digital transformation journey has its share of challenges for both suppliers and end users. Technology is only part of the equation. People, capability, willingness, process simplification, and adopting a multidisciplinary approach are also required. Transforming to an organization where constant change and adjustment define normal operations is still very conceptual for some industrial companies. Each company is at a different stage of digital maturity, so there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Digital transformation leaders can be found across many different industries, sharing common traits and visions, helping them overcome complex challenges to innovate and stay agile. The companies mentioned in this report not only have their transformation initiatives well underway, but they also have their eye to the future tackling the next set of challenges on their journey.
This is the second in a series of blogs in the digital transformation space.
Tesla
Teslais an American multinational company that specializes in electric vehicles, energy storage, and solar technologies. Tesla can be considered a “born digital” company, as it was in the early 2000s at a time when the internet and digital technology were rapidly advancing. From the beginning, Tesla embraced technology and the digital world in its business
operations and has continued to do so as it has grown.
Tesla’s fundamental philosophy internally and externally is to shift perception. Prior to Tesla, the market perception of electric vehicles was a slow, ugly juiced up car with little range. Tesla shifted this perception to one of being a sleek high performance and accelerated mode of transformation. This same strategy is used inside the organization to gain buy-in for digital initiatives and process. For example, when Tesla sets out to automate its internal processes, they try to build it better from the start rather than start a clunky project and hope to get better on revision 4 or 5. This orientation is fundamental in determining what KPIs the company values, as many of them are far different from metrics managed by manufacturers relying on traditional views of success.
By showing value from the start and having internal stakeholders support initiatives, internal employee resistance is minimized. As ARC sees it, this is an example of a company that is comfortable with digital transformation and adapts to business challenges with greater ease quickly. Tesla’s digital connectivity has allowed the company to deliver more value to consumers. Their business model is built on the tenet that the vehicles are more like interactive computers with wheels, leading to the creation of an intelligent data platform and connected ecosystem, enabling Tesla to learn from and serve its customers.
Overall, Tesla’s digital first status has been a key factor in its success as it has allowed the company to take advantage of the latest technology and digital trends to innovate and disrupt the traditional automobile industry.
Going Forward
Digital transformation has emerged as the fulcrum of business operations. This year’s Top 25 companies include many who made the list last year, together with some new companies and reshuffling of positions. ARC will continue its research in all areas related to digital transformation and analyze the outcomes. The ARC Industrial Digital Transformation Top 25 report will be published annually. With this being our second year, your feedback is very important to us as we will continue to investigate new approaches and measures to adjust our methodology, identify successful digital transformation initiatives, and help the industry as a whole digitally transform. Let’s travel together!