// Method · SMBs · Paris and Kinshasa

Digital transformation for SMBs,
we start by auditing the process, not installing the tool.

70% of digital transformation projects fail (McKinsey 2023) — because organizations automate existing chaos instead of restructuring it first. My method: Simplify → Optimize → Automate. BPMN audit before any tool. Polytech Paris engineer, ex-CIO SIPROMAD, founder TIA Jewelry.

See the method

// Useful definition

Digital transformation for an SMB is NOT an IT project. It's a complete audit of business processes followed by three decisions per process: what we drop (because it adds nothing), what we simplify (because it's too heavy), what we automate (because it can run without human intervention). Technical tools come LAST, calibrated on the already-restructured process.

"You don't automate chaos. You restructure it first."

// The signature method

Three steps. Always in this order. Never the reverse.

01

Simplify

« What can disappear? »

BPMN mapping of current processes. Identification of duplicates, bottlenecks, useless tasks. Decision: what we drop, what we keep, what we simplify before touching a single tool. Without this step, 70% of digital transformation projects fail by simply automating existing chaos (McKinsey 2023).

Deliverable

→ BPMN 2.0 diagram + list of processes to drop/simplify

02

Optimize

« What can run better manually first? »

Before automating, we optimize the restructured process in manual mode. We verify the workflow holds with a human team. We fix blind spots (unclear responsibilities, interrupted steps, backtracking). Only then do we identify what truly deserves automation.

Deliverable

→ Documented TO-BE target process + identification of 3-5 priority automation projects

03

Automate

« What can run without you? »

Building tools calibrated on the already-optimized process: custom CRM, n8n/Make/Zapier workflows, AI agents (Claude, GPT, RAG), Looker Studio dashboards. Proprietary code, zero SaaS lock-in, delivered with documentation and training. Technology serving the process, not the reverse.

Deliverable

→ Tools delivered + technical documentation + team training + 3-month follow-up

// The why

Why a process engineer before a developer.

Most digital freelances and agencies propose a tool before understanding your process. They know how to sell a website, a CRM, an n8n workflow — but not how to analyze why your current process doesn't work. Result: the delivered tool reproduces process flaws without fixing them.

My initial training at Polytech Paris, my 4 years at Peugeot Citroën on human-machine interfaces, my 6 years as CIO at SIPROMAD Group Madagascar, and founding TIA Jewelry from scratch taught me the same thing: you don't build a tool before understanding the human problem it must solve. This process-engineer rigor applied to an SMB's digital transformation gives you tools that adapt to you — not the reverse.

See my full background

// 4 operational pillars

Once the process is restructured, here are the tools we deploy.

High-performance websites

Showcase, e-commerce, blogs. Next.js, PageSpeed 95+, GDPR-native. From €1,490.

See website plans

Custom CRM

Alternative to Odoo and HubSpot. Next.js + Firebase. Code yours, from €5,000.

See CRM method

Process automation

n8n, Make, Zapier workflows. HubSpot ↔ Notion ↔ Stripe sync. Measurable ROI < 60 days.

See automation

Operational AI

Claude, GPT, Mistral agents on your data. RAG, prompt engineering, GDPR guardrails.

See AI agents

// Frequent questions

Everything I get asked about digital transformation.

What is digital transformation concretely for an SMB?

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Digital transformation for an SMB is NOT installing new software. It's an audit of all your business processes (sales, invoicing, delivery, customer relationship, reporting) followed by three decisions per process: we drop it because it adds nothing; we keep but simplify it; we automate it with a custom tool or standard SaaS. The TECHNICAL PART (CRM, automation, AI) comes last, after mapping and restructuring. This is what distinguishes real digital transformation from simply buying SaaS that changes nothing about underlying problems.

How much does digital transformation cost for an SMB in France?

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From €1,500 (BPMN mapping only, without follow-up project) to €50,000 for a complete transformation of a 10-30 person SMB. The range depends on three factors: (1) scope — how many processes to audit, typically 5 to 15 critical business processes; (2) complexity — simple vs multi-integration processes (accounting + logistics + CRM + e-commerce); (3) technical scope — how many post-audit automation projects, and with what technologies (SaaS, custom, AI). A large agency invoices the same €100,000-500,000. Personalized quote within 48h after free diagnostic.

Why do 70% of digital transformation projects fail?

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According to McKinsey (2023), 70% of digital transformation projects don't reach their initial goals. Root cause #1 in SMBs: organizations automate existing chaos instead of restructuring it first. They buy a CRM supposed to solve their sales problems while their sales process isn't defined. They install marketing automation while their marketing strategy fits in two sentences. Result: the tool reproduces the mess, sometimes faster, with no added value. That's exactly why I start every mission with a BPMN map and AS-IS → TO-BE restructuring before touching any technical tool.

What's the difference between digitalization and digital transformation?

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Digitalization = replacing a paper process with a digital one without changing the process itself (e.g., replacing a paper ledger with an Excel file). Digital transformation = rethinking the process before digitizing it, asking whether it should even exist, how to simplify it, and only then which tool best embodies it. Digitalization is a tool question. Digital transformation is a process and organization question. An SMB moving invoices from paper to PDF has digitalized. An SMB rethinking its billing cycle to eliminate manual follow-ups, automate reminders, and sync accounting with banking has started real digital transformation.

How long does digital transformation take?

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Between 2 months (simple SMB, 3-5 processes to transform) and 12 months (complex SMB, 15+ processes, team to train). Typical frame for a 10-30 person SMB: Months 1-2 BPMN audit + restructuring, Months 3-5 manual optimization, Months 6-9 automation projects in batches (CRM, then workflows, then AI), Months 10-12 stabilization and continuous training. At each milestone, a concrete testable deliverable. The classic mistake of big firms is delivering everything in one block at the end; I deliver in 4-6 week batches so you can validate and adjust along the way.

Should I start with CRM, billing, or something else?

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No standard answer. The right starting point depends on your most expensive identified pain during the BPMN audit. For 40% of SMBs I meet, it's the sales pipeline (lost leads, manual follow-up, lagging quotes). For 25%, it's invoicing/collections (manual reminders, payment delays). For 20%, it's reporting (executive who can't see numbers in real time). For 15%, it's logistics or operational chain. The rule: we first attack the process whose repair frees up the most team-hours per week or the most € of immobilized cash.

Do you work with consultants or agencies for larger missions?

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Yes, I have a network of senior freelances and small partner agencies in Paris and Kinshasa with whom I can assemble a team when your project exceeds my solo scope (e.g., complete transformation of a 50+ person SMB with dev + design + content + change management in parallel over 6+ months). In those cases, I remain your single point of contact, I coordinate the network, and invoicing stays transparent. This approach remains 30-50% cheaper than an integrated agency for the same quality.

Where do we start?

With 45 minutes to frame it.

Free diagnostic · no quote before understanding your case. You leave with a map of your 3 priorities and a concrete price range, even if you decide not to move forward.

See the full catalog