The time is now to start the transformation to an Intelligent Enterprise
2020 has challenged all of us to the core. We had to change plans on the go. Well thought out strategies became obsolete overnight and we all had to become instant entrepreneurs, adventurers, and explorers to innovate, thrive, survive, scale, and optimize. Business models were changed in record time and shifted online.
IT departments became the silent heroes that made it all happen and held things together. Towards the end of this year, you might be in a place as an IT Leader where you finally feel like you can take a breath. Where you have the headspace to think about what is next.
I hate to say this, but your break will not stay long. The holidays and thus the next sales spike is just around the corner and the latest studies show that the trend in increased online sales will continue.
Your IT systems might be able to scale easily to new data and transaction volume, but the people in your company are struggling to scale the day-to-day operations to meet the new demand. Formerly efficient departments are stretched to their limits because of new sales channels, service needs, and new demands in turnaround speed.
What is the “New Normal”? A term often used, but so hard to find the answer on a broader scale. The easier answer is what it means for IT:
The “New Normal” for IT is to be proactive about showcasing technology, and its ability to help make business more efficient and agile.
Sounds big? The secret is to start small.
- Come up with a set of Use-Cases (Design Thinking is a great method to support this process)
- Rate them by business impact and feasibility
- Pick the use-case with the highest voting in both categories for a Proof of Concept
- Find a business sponsor for the POC
- Showcase your POC results and partner with a larger group of stakeholders to fill the Innovation Funnel and develop a strategy aligned with the business.
Small improvements can have a big impact and will pave the way for the larger transformation. With one good example, not only stakeholders but also end-users can get excited and the IT department changes its definition from Information Technology to Innovative Transformation.
If you already are well on your way to the path of Intelligent Enterprise, I would like to challenge you to see how many ideas are in your Innovation Funnel. If there are only a handful, I would like to encourage you to start another ideation, given new circumstances. You might be surprised what comes to the surface.
Are you ready to take the first step in your journey? Let’ talk.
About Author
With 20 years of global IT experience working in Strategy, Innovation, and Implementation Projects, Barbara Wittmann understands the Zeitgeist of IT Trends and needs of CIOs & IT Leaders. As a trusted CIO Advisor, she makes IT simple, sage, and strategic among people, departments, and cultures. Through her Workshops and IT Coaching, she helps to mitigate risk, prioritize next steps and develop a shared mental model that drives innovation and digital change. She works with Suyati as a Strategic IT Advisor.
