Businesses have continuously been facing challenges and changes over years, and this will not slow down in 2023. With the pandemic accelerating digital transformation, 2022 was hit hard by the digital revolution. Today, technology is enabling people to stay connected more than ever before, both personally and professionally. As a result, this has put pressure on the global economy to keep up.
As we approach 2023, let’s take a look at 5 trends to keep an eye on to make sure you stay ahead of your game in Microsoft Dynamics 365.
- Accelerated digital transformation
Industries are exposed to changes resulting from technological innovation and the diffusion of new technology-based best practices. In 2023 we will see the continuation of transformative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the internet of things, augmented/virtual reality, cloud computing, and much more. These transformational technologies do not exist in isolation from each other, they are becoming more interconnected as time passes. To become successful a business must adopt intelligent enterprises where systems and processes support each other to get tasks done more efficiently and systematically.
Businesses must ensure they go for the right technology and incorporate it into their operations and systems at all levels of the organization. In the 21st century, there is no excuse for being in a business not knowing how digital transformation, automation, and Artificial intelligence work. Offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation, digital transformation is continuously shaping and changing the future!
Consumer behavior is always changing over time. In the past, behaviors used to change after long periods, usually decades or every 6 years. What’s different now is that consumers want to keep up with the latest trends, so their preferences are almost always changing. Companies have to catch up otherwise they will be left behind, leading your potential buyers directly to competitors.
- Sustainable technology
More and more people are becoming aware of threats to the environment and are being educated to evolve behaviors and practices to be more ecologically friendly. Businesses should also consider the external effects their decisions and actions will have on the environment. This year, sustainability is going to become the number one business branding innovation. Consumers will continue to demand energy-efficient and sustainable products and services, meaning as a business you should be pushing your business supply chain to become a more transparent one.
What’s more, consumers purchasing decisions are being driven by factors like ecological impact and sustainability. Conscious consumers are preferring businesses that are more socially responsible when choosing whom to buy from.
- Combating inflation and supply chain security
We have been told by experts to expect ongoing inflation and subdued economic growth over time. Many companies are facing supply chain issues ever since Covid 19 struck, which also led to many shutdowns. A solution to this is improving your resilience in multiple ways. This can be done by reducing exposure to commodities that are of high prices and building protective measures to overcome any shortages that can occur in your supply chain. To make this easy, companies can map out their entire supply chain, and identify any possible bottlenecks and ways their supply chain can be exposed to inflation risks. A strategy can then be devised to combat these problems efficiently, this may include looking for alternative suppliers, using updated technology, and having a contingency plan in place.
- Immersive customer experience
2023 is all about customers and their seamless shopping experiences. This does not mean customers will not be looking out for prices and quality because they play a major role when deciding what to spend our money on. The best technologies will make the customer journey smoother, streamlining the entire process to make it a hassle-free one. Consumers are now also relying heavily on technology to make decisions for them. Think recommendation engines help us choose what to buy and where to buy it from, customer service portal with our queries and guide us, and after-sales support provided us help after we have purchased something. So, everything plays an important part in the entire customer journey.
We all are aware of the metaverse now too, which is the future of the internet. While it is hard to predict what exactly it will look like, what we do know is that a more immersive experience is coming our way. Imagine, customers, shopping online and being able to try on clothing via virtual reality, or perhaps using AR to see how clothes will fit on our actual bodies. The possibilities will soon be in the hundreds, one more fascinating than the other. Experts have predicted that the metaverse will contribute $5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Also, 2023 will be the year that will shape and define how the future will look for all the coming years.
- Data Security
Like every other year, 2023 will see advancements aimed at combating real-world threats. Yes, you heard it. Businesses are becoming more and more cautious when it comes to protecting their data, systems, and technologies. Cybersecurity is one of the greatest threats being faced by everyone today, so investing in high-quality cybersecurity products is now becoming the need of the hour. Training your workforce to look out for threats and scams is also important because workers also have access to a lot of systems from their laptop devices.
2023 is going to be jam-packed with threats and opportunities for all businesses. Companies must look out for the opportunities available, avail them and work to stay ahead of the curve. Finding the right partner to help you achieve digital transformation, and provide immersive customer experiences while protecting the backend of your business and keeping your data and system security.
