Monday 28 November 2016

Think of the CEO!

He's the leader of a great organisation but people tell him he's got to digitalize his business.  What does this even mean? 

Things still seem OK.  He understands his customer and the market.  He knows and loves his products.   He's run a tight ship and kept his shareholders and auditors happy for years.  Assets are assets and make him feel invincible.  The view from the top floor is still impressive!

But there are signs of change.  Tiny businesses are popping up from no where.  They are breaking the rules.  They don't have 'assets'.  They don't own buildings, or SAP systems or have a huge workforce.  They move like lightening. They make crazy mistakes and bounce back. They seem to employ kids and people who do things for free. They are more about 'art and feelings' than 'science and processes'. 

And our poor CEO is feeling uncomfortable.  He doesn't get tech or the way young people use it.  He's too busy to play with this stuff himself.  He's too scared to invite youth to join the board but he wonders if 30 years of experience and wisdom counts for much these days.

How vulnerable must this feel? For his organisation to change,  he must change too but he doesn't know how.  It's easier, so much easier, to deny the evidence, surround himself with people just like himself and keep turning the handle on the same tried and tested processes.  There is still money coming in and no one will blame him for missing this particular revolution…yet!   


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