Failures in digital transformation programmes share one common dimension. They lack proper consideration of the human side of technology. Technology inevitably elicits fear, changes in power structures and interests as well as ways of working amongst stakeholders. At its worst, it becomes branded as the source of evil sorcery or an instrument of the dark arts designed solely to deepen the pockets of the power hungry bourgeois at the expense of making employees’ jobs redundant. On the other hand, these so called “Capitalists” may be inflicted by a false illusion that technology systems are “solutions” having a magic wand that can perform a disappearing act for all their business problems.
The digital revolution is not a Darwinian feud between technology and humans. It is not a battle between the bourgeoisie and the working class. It is an exploration, evolution, and experimentation of how they can co-exist to benefit all stakeholders. It is only by understanding how technology and humans can create better and improved interactions can we achieve better and more successful results in digital transformation programmes.
My ambition is to contribute towards the humanisation process of technology to deliver successful digital programmes in business with impact on people’s lives. My vision is based on six key principles:
- Bridging the divide between how humans and machines think and act to develop an improved employee engagement and customer engagement experience
- Rethinking the future of work to develop co-intelligent collaborative working ecosystems to maximise knowledge creation, development and dissemination
- Understanding and interpreting feelings and emotions of employees, customers and other stakeholders to help organisations serve them better.
- Democratising decision making for improved empowerment, agility and performance
- Improving accessibility for products and services to disadvantaged groups
- Enhancing wellness and quality of life