Lenovo: ‘True digital transformation isn’t adopting AI tools – it’s reimagining the entire workplace’

Business leaders are well aware of the impact Gen AI is having – and will continue to have – on the workplace. 

Yet are they properly equipped to cope with the changes needed to keep pace with the current digital landscape?

According to recent research from Lenovo, 81% of 600 IT leaders surveyed across the globe shared that although creating “productive and engaging workplaces” is a business priority, less than half had confidence that their current digital environment was able to support this.

While speaking exclusively to Lenovo’s Vice President and General Manager of Digital Workplace Solutions, Rakshit Ghura, UNLEASH explores Lenovo’s latest report: Igniting Real Workplace Transformation.

Understanding and executing digital transformations

80% of leaders recognize the transformative capabilities of Gen AI, according to Lenovo’s new research. Yet 89% understand that to achieve these benefits, businesses need to embrace more than just new tools. 

The research from the $18.8 billion revenue business states that “transformation is how you empower employees to use Gen AI,” which will then help lead them to their full potential. 

However, Lenovo identified the seven key barriers blocking workplace transformation:

1. Lack of vision as to how digital workplace transformation can support strategic goals
2. Other IT initiatives take precedence 
3. Lack of understanding
4. Insufficient time
5. Difficulty building a business case
6. Lack of buy-in from senior leaders
7. Insufficient IT budget

These challenges impact the 97% of organizations that know they must begin their transformation – although 60% admit they have not yet started.

IT issues, such as security, sustainability, and Gen AI, were found to be seen as more urgent issues among business leaders, compared to digital transformations.

Yet 44% of IT leaders explained that not understanding how to digitally transform their organization is one of their top three challenges.

Although the report describes this confusion as “entirely reasonable” given the risk, scope and commitment required, Ghura urges businesses to understand it’s not just about technology.

“True transformation isn’t just about adopting AI tools. It’s about reimagining the entire workplace,” he tells UNLEASH. 

The organizations that lead with clarity, purpose, and a people-first mindset will be the ones to unlock the full potential of generative AI.”

To embrace this, a comprehensive approach to tackle intersectional challenges, HR leaders should therefore plan to overcome common the most common obstacles; change management, skills gaps, tech integration complexities, and cross-functional alignment to improve the transformation process.

To do so, Lenovo urges businesses to take three simple steps to execution: holistic thinking, optimizing spend, and accepting expert guidance. 

Firstly, to think holistically, leaders should focus on developing a “comprehensive roadmap” to address these four key challenges, while considering the interdependencies between the areas.

Secondly, by implementing a as-a-Service model for devices, businesses can make transformations more financially viable – freeing up capital, increasing flexibility, and ensuring there’s enough access to the latest technology.

Finally, the report suggests partnering with other organizations that have already achieved a successful transformation, as a way to help predict and overcome unforeseen challenges, while smoothening and quickening the process.

In the report, Ghura added: “You can give an employee the best tool to improve their workplace experience, but if they aren’t educated on how to use it, there will be slow adoption and you won’t see the business benefits.”

So this begs the question – does your organization have the right tools to complete a successful digital transformation? And if so, do employees know how to use it correctly?