Dear Robin Report Readers,
I’m directing this message specifically to those in the apparel technology and development sectors because I believe you are the most important group who needs to read and understand the key takeaways from the executive report on Alvanon’s 3D TECH Festival. The summary outlines the digitalization of apparel product development, with a focus on the strategy behind digital transformation. And before you yawn and delete, please read this…too many of you do not fully get the incredible significance of this profound technological advancement and its strategic and financial benefits.
Those of you who do have a general idea of the importance of digital transformation have no doubt given the function a high-level position in your operations, headed by executives with the appropriate skills. The disconnect for leaders is that all too often, senior and C-level executives do not want to get too far into the weeds. They often have little knowledge and are just as happy to leave in the hands of the tech teams. This kind of leadership process worked with the traditional functions of a company: marketing, finance, operations, HR, and others. But not digitalization, because it requires a holistic and cultural integration into your entire organization.
Oh yes! I almost forgot. It’s also about money. Whatever capital is required to make digitalization work becomes your decision. This is perhaps the most significant reason for you to get into the weeds to better understand and justify the investment.
When done right, the digitalization of your entire value chain yields a demand-driven chain, personalization for the consumer, inventory optimization, seasonless and more accurate and rapidly delivered product as well as a seamlessly integrated chain online and off, (aka: more responsive, flexible, transparent, sustainable and consumer-relevant).
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