RSA • Leading A Technological Transformation: 5 Things Enterprises Should Consider

Global issues and outside forces keep pushing companies to transform just to stay afloat. Inevitably, this implies technological transformation and significant innovation. Nevertheless, for some companies, it may be challenging to clearly define the changes that need to happen. For that, we’ll cover five points to consider.

1. There needs to be alignment. The top three levels need to be trained, retained, and aligned. Companies can’t have different understandings of what the technology is or isn’t, nor multiple visions of what the company's future direction looks like. There needs to be meeting of the minds.

2. Communication, commitment, and conviction. Companies need the right CEOs; they need the right leaders. Without the right CEO, transformation is not going to happen. CEOs need to vividly and committedly communicate what will happen if we transform and what will happen if we don’t transform.

3. A single driver's seat. The fastest cars in the world have a single seat, the driver's seat. Yet, they are powered by enormous teams, fueled by one mission, and the will to win. The CEO and C-Suite need to drive the transformation, and the CTO needs to be part of it. CTOs need to speak the language of the business. Otherwise, it will be a technology-driven transformation that business people will ignore and reject.

4. Culture kills transformation. Organizations don’t like the word “transformation”; it scares people. If the front line doesn't understand why a technology-driven transformation is needed, it won’t happen.

5. Future-proofing. There needs to be a balance between risk and innovation, but the biggest risk is no innovation.

Finally, to lead a technological transformation, organizations need to be agile, understand the environment they operate in, and figure out how to keep the company going and growing.