The Power of Digital Disruption

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Digital disruption is a transformational wave of change brought about by advancements in digital technology.

In the course of human history, societal progress has always been landmarked by various technological breakthroughs: the invention of the wheel, the creation of the printing press, the first computer. And as the base of knowledge increases, the growth becomes more and more exponential. In today’s digital world, advancements are cropping up left and right, with so many new developments and inventions all scrambling to propel us further into the future.

Digital disruption is when emerging digital technologies and capabilities cause a substantial change and/or transformation in the value of an industry’s existing assets and services. New tech and innovations can significantly affect the current market and completely shift its direction, thus upsetting—disrupting— the existing systems. These new technologies often address the shifting habits and needs of the current consumers, particularly in places where the present services are lacking. Of course, the market will respond better to the products that provide more ease and convenience—out with the old, in with the new.

Examples of Digital Disruption

Many of the existing comforts we enjoy today were once digital disruptors that managed to supplant their predecessors.

The internet age has undoubtedly brought about some of the most fundamental changes. With the introduction of the email, physical letters sent via post were rendered inefficient, time-consuming, and eventually obsolete, and written communication was changed forever.

Online instant messaging and video calling have shifted the telecommunications industry as a whole, and culturally, you can even tell which generation someone is from when you ask them to do a hand gesture for a phone call.

And if you’re old enough, you may still recall massive encyclopedia sets, arranged alphabetically for convenience, as well as almanacs that had to be updated annually with the “latest” information. These days, all that knowledge is at the tip of our fingers, quite literally—one quick Google search nets you any piece of information you desire, at a fraction of the time and cost.

E-books and audiobooks were answers to the shifting habits of book consumption, and online video streaming has traditional media studios scrambling to adapt. Amazon’s online shopping service has become a giant all on its own, creating fertile ground for even more online shopping platforms, impacting the retail industry as a whole. Subscription business models have recently taken strides, with platforms such as Netflix and Spotify creating new ways for consumers to access content and media.

With the global pandemic shifting the very fabric of society itself, digital disruption has provided avenues to mediate or circumvent the traditional ways and address the shortcomings of the current systems that the pandemic has exposed. Working from home is made easier with platforms that aid communication between coworkers, such as Google Meet and Zoom. Online classes are booming, and it’s safe to say that we’ll see digital disruptors heavily impact even the educational system in the near future.

But do not fear that digital disruption has caused something terrible to happen. It sounds like a bad thing because the word “disruption” connotes confusion and disorder. But it is a disruption in the sense of shaking things up and bringing something new to the table—the breakthrough of a new way of doing things that causes a significant deviation from the status quo.

It is not a bad thing, because, in its nature, digital disruption is a natural thing. It is a potent manifestation of our ability to use tech to adapt to the current shifting trends and needs—in essence, it is innovation at work.

Digital disruption, when applied correctly, is a good thing. Innovation and opportunity go hand in hand. Each new development is a chance for advancement. This means growth for your business. You never want to stagnate—you want to be the disruptor. Many technological advancements also benefit your company from within. When systems are in place that provide your employees with ease and convenience, they have more time and space to deliver quality work to your business as a whole.

Consumers these days know what they want, and with the plethora of options available to them, it is merely a matter of selecting their preferences at their leisure. Digital disruption attempts to engage with consumer needs that are unaddressed, and as a business, you want to address your customers’ needs. This quickly translates to increased customer satisfaction, and a potential for increased market share.

We have achieved monumental strides in the advancement of modern society because of digital disruption, and there is so much potential for more. The difficulty lies in the systems around it. The growth of tech vastly outpaces the growth of infrastructure, which can lead to instability. Many of our current frameworks aren’t quite built to handle such advancements, and existing laws and regulations may not yet be able to safeguard against potential exploitation and abuse. We must ensure that secure and substantial systems are put in place to accommodate these changes while allowing for future developments. Of course, the challenge of creating ethical and responsible innovative technologies should always be a foremost priority.

Digital disruption is inevitable, just as change is inevitable. It comes hand in hand with the advancement of modern society. With the speed at which we now discover, accumulate, and process new information and knowledge, the resulting applications come at a similar pace. And just as it is human nature to accept change, it is only apt that industries accept and embrace digital disruption, or else risk being left behind—a fate worse than death in the rapidly ever-evolving landscape of business. Not only must companies know how to utilize digital disruption, they must also be agile enough to prepare for it. There will always be new technology, ready to disrupt the current flow. Just because you’re ahead now doesn’t guarantee you’ll be ahead forever. Being able to ride the tide while watching for the incoming waves will ensure your company’s success and longevity.

Become the change you want to see, and let’s get that business idea going. Work with A2 Design Lab today.

Visual by: Daniela Mendoza
Research by: Cezanne Supera
Write-up by: Chris Ignacio