"Persistent change, challenged assumptions, and disruption are now the norm" in business, according to The Accenture Technology Vision 2019. As every business strives to become digital, however, Accenture predicts that technology is driving us towards a post-digital world.
Digital is the "price of admission for doing business"
In today's technological climate, enterprises stand at a crucial turning point. Although digital is critically important, it is not "simply the price of admission for doing business, especially as technologies have swiftly evolved people’s expectations and behaviours."
As a result, Accenture predicts that the next "epic disruption" is imminent - post-digital. Nevertheless, the post-digital era "offers tremendous opportunities and value for business if enterprises proceed responsibly and strengthen trust."
In the post-digital era, differentiation arises from "applying digital in powerful new ways", Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer said. The technologies required to innovate therefore "go beyond the foundational adoption of digital tools and concepts."
Indeed, cloud and artificial intelligence will continue to advance. However, technologies such as distributed ledger, extended reality, and quantum computing will reshape the business sphere and individual relationships that are critical to a company's future growth.
The post-digital era
According to Accenture, the post-digital era will combine individualisation with instant on-demand capabilities. For enterprises, this means it will become increasingly easier to capture and deliver on momentary markets.
The next wave of technology will also support this shift, as it will ultimately make it possible for businesses to customise products, services, and people's surroundings. As a consequence, enterprises will be able to better understand their customers, employees, and business partners.
In order to deliver this, however, organisations must "understand people at a holistic level" and deliver change in the moment. By accomodating individuals in this manner, businesses will soon be able to "cater to individuals in every aspect of their lives, careers or business relationships."
As Daugherty notes, the pace of innovation will never be slower than it is today. In order to succeed in the post-digital era, enterprises must take their digital transformation journey to the next level by applying new technologies, investing in talent, and strengthening trust-based relationships.
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