digital transformation and 'the pursuit of falling

© 2017 VERSION 17.02© 2017 VERSION 17.02

The Pursuit of FallingA jargon-free approach to digital transformation.PART ONE: ‘FALLING’

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Definition of Digital Transformation

The effect of adapting your business to thrive in a digital economy*

*digital economy/ dɪdʒɪt(ə)l ɪˈkɒnəmi /An economy which functions primarily by means of digital technology i.e. internet, apps, mobile, etc.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Meaning

A lot of people, are doing a lot of stuff* on the internet, a lot of the time (hyperconnected).

They get what they want, when and however they want (on-demand) putting them in a powerful position (customer-led market).

People are fickle – their needs change quickly (life), so build a business which thrives in these conditions (digital transformation).

*stuff / stʌf / Work, rest and play.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Understanding

This behaviour is happening on a global scale and at a rapid pace (mega-trend). Technology may be a catalyst but it is also subject to change (innovation).

Therefore, the only constant is your attitude to change and an improved ability to predict ever-changing customer needs (entrepreneurial mindset/culture).

This means committing to the unknown and becoming comfortable with risk.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Becoming comfortable with riskA lesson from rock climbing.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

‘Falling’ & THE Pursuit of Falling

When you drop something climbing you shout ‘below’ so that people know to not look up and risk being hit in the face. However, when you’re the thing that drops, you shout ‘falling’.

Falling is not failing. It marks the edge of your absolute limit. You adapt and push beyond in search of your next ‘fall’ in a state of continual improvement.

Therefore, digital transformation could be easily explained as the ‘pursuit of falling’ - to constantly seek your limits and adapt to push beyond.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Once upon a time…

EL CAPITAN, THE NOSE880 METRES

BURJ KHALIFA, UAE830 METRES

…there was an impossible climb.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Until…

1 day 23 hours 2:23:467 days18 months (47 days)

…there was a possible climb.

*Significant ascents of El Capitan, The Nose.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Write down 3-5 reasonshow this Happened


© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Do these matchyour ideas?

Advances in equipment?

Time

Attitude

Money

Desire for recognition

Expertise

BiggerTeams


© 2017 VERSION 17.02

…someone thought it was possible.

Attitude1 day 23 hours 2:23:467 days18 months (47 days)

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

…rivalry created healthy competition.


1958 1960

Attitude

Healthy Competition

WARREN HARDING WAYNE MERRY

GEORGE WHITMORE

ROYAL ROBBINS JOE FITSCHENCHUCK PRATTTOM FROST

AIDED FREE CLIMB

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

…every generation challenged the status quo.


GEORGE WHITMORE

JIM BRIDWELL JOHN LONG

BILLY WESTBAYLYNN HILL

ALEX HONNOLDHANS FLORINE



1958 1975 1994 20121960

Attitude

Healthy Competition

Generation Gap

AIDED FREE CLIMB FREE SOLO COMBOFREE CLIMB Accept + Build

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

…progress led by climbers, not equipment.


GEORGE WHITMORE





1 day 23 hours 2:23:467 days

AIDED FREE CLIMB FREE SOLO COMBOFREE CLIMB

BOLTS, PITONS, ROPES TO ASSIST THE CLIMBER TO

GAIN HEIGHT

SAFETYROPE

NOROPE

MIX FREE SOLO + FREE CLIMB

SAFETYROPE

18 months (47 days)

1958 1975 1994 20121960

Attitude

Equipment adapted to generation needs

Healthy Competition

Generation Gap

Accept + Build

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Where next?


GEORGE WHITMORE





1 day 23 hours 2:23:467 days

AIDED FREE CLIMB FREE SOLO COMBOFREE CLIMB

BOLTS, PITONS, ROPES TO ASSIST THE CLIMBER TO

GAIN HEIGHT

SAFETYROPE

NOROPE

MIX FREE SOLO + FREE CLIMB

SAFETYROPE

Where will the next generation

take it?

18 months (47 days)

1958 1975 1994 20121960

© 2017 VERSION 17.02© 2017 VERSION 17.02

The Mars Generation

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Who will shape the next few decades?

The Mars Generation (Generation Z) are now teenagers and young adults, soon to be entering the workforce.

They are the first generation born after the internet became mainstream and they will lead the first manned mission to Mars.

As a result, the Mars Generation are true digital natives and global citizens, raised during a time where rapid change has been a constant, on-demand services are standard, and everything is possible.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Increasingly difficult to predict the Future

With a generation where innovation is the status quo, predicting the future becomes increasingly difficult.

From entertainment to health care, government to shopping, nothing is certain.

How do you structure your business to provide a service or product which hasn’t been thought of, or retain the highest talents?

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Learn from the Mars Generation

To future-proof your business, create an organisational culture which thrives in the unknown and is comfortable with risk. Provide them with the freedom to innovate and inspire them to claim personal ownership for their work and ideas.

Solicit healthy competition and rise to the challenge.

Explore partnerships from other fields or industries and be ready to drop a digital technology as quickly as you adopt it.

Essentially, learn from the Mars Generation, let them teach you how to thrive in an environment of rapid and unpredictable change.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Digital TransformationThe effect of adapting your business to thrive in a digital economy*

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONIS NOT

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONIS

WHICH IS ENABLED BY

TOOLS FORSUCCESS

Technology led Attitude first Leadership Clear digital strategy& timely roadmap

A magic wand Commitment to risk Culture Freedom to innovate & personal ownership

Solitary Cross-pollination Integration Multiple technologies& partnerships

*An economy which functions primarily by means of digital technology i.e. internet, apps, mobile, etc.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

By now you are able to:

1. Confidently define and explain digital transformation as the process of adapting your business to take advantage of the current hyperconnected and digital society.

2. Understand that digital transformation is led by attitude and a clear digital strategy, not technology.

3. Realise that successful change of this magnitude requires committed leadership at an executive level.

© 2017 VERSION 17.02

Next Steps

1. Explain digital transformation to as many friends and/or colleagues as possible until you are confident you understand it and can explain it readily.

2. Adopt an ‘attitude first’ approach and become an ambassador for digital transformation.

3. Stay connected on LinkedIn @ilovebaan

4. Progress to phase two – The Pursuit of Falling: Leadership.

http://www.linkedin.com/company/ilovebaan

digital transformation and 'the pursuit of falling

Business