Use Technology to Shape Your Company's Future
Between smart phones, smart pads, apps, cloud computing, and the myriad of other technological advances and transformations occurring today, many company leaders are wondering how to navigate it all. Historically, CEOs and other C-suite executives are used to having control over everything within the company's walls. As such, they are not happy with the increased focus on such things as cloud computing; yet that's precisely what their company's staff is using when they use their personal computers to search Google or access other cloud-based applications.
This dislike for today's new technology is understandable. It is, after all, outside of the control of the corporate veil the executives have worked so hard to develop and secure. But let's face it... things like apps, SaaS, social media, smart phones, smart pads, and a host of other cloud computing options that your employees use, both at home and increasingly at work, are here to stay. Consider this: In early 2010, there were 150,000 apps just in the Apple store. Now we're close to 300,000 apps with billions of downloads. So it's growing fast, with no indication of slowing down.
As a strategic consultant to large organizations, I'm amazed at how many executives are not embracing this paradigm shift. As a leader, you have to ask yourself, "Will there be more in the cloud options, including audio, video, storage, and apps, next year than there is this year?" The answer is a resounding "Yes!" That means you can't ignore it. Many of your own people are using cloud0based services right now. And if they're using them, being more productive at home than they are in the workplace, and doing things that are more advanced on their smart phones and smart pads (at least in their minds), then your company has a problem. You can't have people thinking the company is archaic in terms of technology or that the executive team is trying to hold people back. Instead, you need to be helping your people to move forward.
Granted, it's human nature to protect and defend the status quo, and there are some security concerns with the emerging technologies. But at the same time, you have to remember the old adage that states, "It's easier to ride a horse in the direction that it's going." In this case, the horses of technology are going in a new direction at a pace and speed we've never seen before. It's time for executives to pay attention to this and do more than just go along for the ride.
Case in point: In January 1993, IBM knew the future of its company and it was the most admired company on the planet. But the horses of technology changed direction. By the end of 1993, IBM was getting close to going out of business. It missed the shift. But IBM is not an isolated case. Many other companies have missed the shift. Think about it...when was the last time you bought something from Polaroid?
Today’s gigantic technological shift is already taking place, and the last people who should miss it are today’s business leaders. The shift is here, it’s easy to see, and it’s as plain as day. Therefore, it’s time to start directing the horse on the journey. The question is, “How?” Next month I will share tips and strategies on how to redefine and embrace the future.
Daniel Burrus, one of the world's leading technology forecasters, business strategists, and author of six books
Copyright 2010. Author retains copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Category: Technology, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency
