Imagine working at a company that’s been doing business the same way for decades—completely offline. Now imagine being tasked with taking that traditional business and bringing it into the digital age. That was my challenge, and it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
In 2016, I took on the responsibility of creating a digital arm for a traditional business that had never ventured online. It wasn’t easy, but the results have been transformational.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
One of the first hurdles was getting buy-in from leadership. When a business has been successful offline for decades, it’s easy for people to think, “Why change now?” It took time to demonstrate the value of an online presence and how it could drive future growth. Through consistent communication and small, measurable wins, we started gaining traction.
Building the Platform
Once we had buy-in, the next step was to build the digital infrastructure from scratch. We created an e-commerce platform that allowed the business to reach a whole new set of customers, and we integrated digital marketing strategies to expand our audience. Developing an online strategy while preserving the brand’s traditional values was a balancing act, but one that paid off.
The Impact
Looking back, the transformation has been incredible. The company now has a thriving online business, generating significant revenue from new customers. It’s been rewarding to be part of this journey, driving change in a traditional business that now fully embraces its digital potential.