C-Suite Blind Spot – Digital Transformation Avoiding Shortcomings – Leadership & Innovation

Blind Spot

As we close out 2020, the corporate digital transformation has moved to center stage in corporations across the globe. While we have read and written about the speed at which digital transformations progressed due to the Pandemic, the need for transformational success over speed would appear more valuable to the C-Suite.

Whether survival or growth mode, successful digital transformation efforts due to Pandemic and Post-Pandemic customer and business-model shifts is key to business success and profitability during 2021 and beyond. While the majority of C-Suite’s executives understand this, how do they increase the probability of transition success? What are the proven and successful elements or actions that will lead to success for those who have embraced and implemented successful transitions? What can be learned from others?

Illumination

Much has been researched and written by Gartner, Deloitte, McKinsey, Harvard, and others over the last twelve months about the era of digital transformation. Each of them from slightly different perspectives and angles. However, there appears to be some common elements which raise the probably of success for C-suites when developing and implementing their digital transformation strategies.

While leadership, excellent project management and innovation are general topics, I believe they identify the framework and elements needed for success. More specifically, some common elements of the most successful enterprise digital transformations include some of the following:

· Having a firm grasp and understanding on the meaning of digital transformation and its relevance as it specifically pertains to your business.

· Presenting a clear definition of the scope, obtaining buy-in and promoting collaboration among the entire team and across all levels.

· Being ready for and accepting of a culture shift. Identifying, promoting, hiring and investing in securing the right talent.

· Balancing the need to invest in innovation and managing budget to maximize value and mitigate risks without inhibiting results.

· Team leadership that shows themselves aligned with the defined objectives, have accountability, focus, clear communication and flexibility to adjust as needed.

Many of my accomplishments have been win or lose situations. For me, second place was not an option. My key to success was to assemble a diverse team of specialized individuals who were experts in their fields. Together, we were able to develop strategies that helped me to identity, address and eliminate my “blind spots”. When winning or losing are the only two choices, choose to win.