Is IT wagging your Dog?

In this age of digital transformation business are increasingly dependent on its gate keepers, but who are they?”

Businesses are in a perfect storm.  The velocity and breadth of change is fueled by globalization, social media shareholders, pandemics, social media itself and technological advancements.  Or is the latter a fuel or the answer to quiet the storm? We are see digital disruption, a relatively new term, in the form of automation, robotics, AI.  We experience disruption in our daily lives with badges, banners, Google and Alexa that we can’t seem to hide from - in fact, the newer generations embrace it.  Like it or not its here and it is not going away.  It is permeating the fabric of our daily lives like gasoline on a rusted bolt.  Make no mistake, if you are not considering some form of digital you are likely retired and turning lights off with “the clapper”.

Challenge

If you don’t know what a “clapper” is, you likely are feeling the pressure to get on the digital bandwagon.  Naturally, the trend today is buying it, installing it, and pray.  Here are some of the common themes of today’s implementations attempts.

·       Small projects, quick wins, dispose of the bad stuff early in the game.

·       System should not shape the user, should be other away around.

·       Strategic “partnerships” with tech providers

·       IT should be and enabler - but it is our disabler

·       IT should not wag the dog.  Please…..

So let’s stop right there.  What are we all saying in these messages? 

It boils down to one thing.  Does the organization clearly understand its objectives, goals and targets?   What are business the requirements that guarantee success in achieving that vision?

For the sake of argument let’s assume we have a clear vision and established objectives.  But have we considered that IT understands them?  If not how are they to effectively enable the organization if they are not fully understanding the

To further integrate IT means that they see and feel the pain the organization is going thru.  A good IT department will react very quickly to the issues to facitate the business.  That is what the do – and they do it well.  That is course that they

And the best way to accomplish that is to fully integrate them into the business.  That way they see what is required by the business and they have also shape what they future can be.  It supports, quick wins, effective and efficient implementations systems fulfilling the (business) requirement - no tail, no dog –  

At the risk of extending beyond the 2.36 minute reading threshold, I’ll add that objectives goals and targets extend beyond the organization.  Does the culture allow the possibility of bringing outsiders, suppliers, customers, stakeholders into the dialogue?  Digital certainly enables it if you allow it.  As an example, Uber lets you find a ride, judge a ride, anticipate a ride, pay for the ride.  The system, or dare I say culture,  satisfies both supply and demand side.  Consider the extent of the effort to deliver – 100% automated – that’s data leverage.

SUMMARY

Yes, Digital Transformation is directly tied to digital, but the operative word is Transformation. Transformation of culture, to leverage the digital world such that staff focus their energy towards the corporate vision, the strategies and its targets.  Finally, I’ll add that it does not transform culture – it is a thread of the culture.  The culture transcends the head, the body and the tail.  Is you company ready to transform is your tail hiding between your legs?.