CIO & CISO Asia Pacific – Philippines

Collaboration is a Key Part of Digital Strategy

The workplace is rapidly evolving, and today’s leading CIOs recognize the need to enable business transformation for a digital-first world. But without a holistic view of the organization, simply adding new technologies can do more harm than good. For true digital transformation success, organizations must understand the critical nature of cross-departmental collaboration and alignment.

In the past, it may have been acceptable to plan for new technology implementations in a silo, but this is no longer the case. Without a thorough understanding of end user needs and workflows, it can be all too easy to increase complexity with the addition of new digital tools, which can quickly undermine employee productivity and customer experience.

Leaders must therefore establish open communication throughout the organization in order to have the information necessary to make improvements. If teams are not empowered to voice their needs and concerns, then the entire organization will eventually be negatively affected. In contrast, when leaders across departments are aligned and can seamlessly collaborate on strategies that take into account how the business operates as a whole, then successful transformation is much more likely.

Strategic alignment throughout an organization removes barriers to transformation. This alignment begins at the top with leaders who foster a culture of collaboration, partnership, growing skills, and teamwork. Organizations that are unable to adopt such a framework may soon be left behind.

Panel Questions

1. How can CIOs identify whether the structure of their organization is supportive of collaborative work?
2. What steps can CIOs take to foster a culture of improved collaboration within their organizations?
3. How can CIOs measure improvements in collaboration?

Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a technological revolution in which the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres are increasingly blurred. Examples are abundant today as artificial intelligence powers commonly used digital tools like voice-activated virtual assistants and facial recognition software, while conventional home and office products such as security systems, thermostats, and lighting are becoming more connected as they join the “smart” Internet of Things ecosystem.

Learning Outcomes

• How to keep up with the fast pace of change
• How to implement strategies to leverage the massive amounts of data being produced and consumed by the latest technologies
• How to address mounting customer privacy concerns

Digital Transition vs Transformation

Although sometimes referred to interchangeably, digital transition and digital transformation are actually quite different. While digital transition is a shift away from analog in favor of digital platforms and tools for improved speed, accuracy, reliability, etc…, digital transformation is a fundamental change in how organizations structure their relationship with technology and how they do business. Both must be embraced and prepared for as digitization continues to disrupt and restructure all industries.

Learning Outcomes

• How to embrace strategies for digital transition and transformation in your organization
• How to enable employees to foster digital transition/transformation
• How to prepare for and address the new security risks associated with digital transition/transformation

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a mainstream concept, but most organizations are still developing their strategy on how to best leverage it. AI has great potential to help drive improved customer experiences, increased revenues, and reduced costs. But it also poses serious risks for those investing in it due to the fact that it is still a relatively immature technology that will continue to evolve in the coming decades.

Learning Outcomes

• What are some common use cases for AI today
• How to build a business case for an AI project
• Common challenges to avoid in AI projects