A Personal Story of Digital Awakening

In the year 2016, I found myself standing at the threshold of a new era—the era of digital transformation. It all began with a seemingly innocuous question posed by our CEO during a company meeting: "Is our IT future-proof?" Little did I know that this question would mark the beginning of a profound journey that would reshape my perspective on the role of architecture and technology in business.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the implications of our CEO's inquiry, I sought guidance from experts in the field of tech and digitalization. Through a stroke of fortune, I had the privilege of connecting with influential thought leaders such as Adrian Cockcroft from Netflix and AWS, and Rodrigue Schaefer, the Head of Engineering at Zalando.

These tech visionaries shared a common sentiment—an unwavering belief in the transformative power of integrating IT as a natural part of the business. They emphasized that IT should not be treated as a separate entity but as a key differentiator, deeply ingrained in the fabric of every organization. Their words resonated deeply with me, and I couldn't help but wonder why this realization was not emanating from leadership in more organizations.

As I delved deeper into the subject, I discovered that many companies were merely scratching the surface of digital transformation. They would rebrand their traditional approaches, incorporating a few modern technologies and methodologies, but failing to grasp the true potential of digitalization. It became increasingly clear that without comprehensive comprehension and wholehearted embrace at the leadership level, the conversion to a digital-first mindset would either fail to materialize or progress at a sluggish pace.

The knowledge I gained from these influential figures and my personal experiences still hold true to this day. They emphasized the difficulties that organizations encounter when they ignore or underestimate the impact of digital transformation. In a society where technology propels progress and molds customer demands, businesses that hesitate to adopt digitalization wholeheartedly run the risk of falling behind.

Fast forward to the present day, and the importance of digital transformation has only intensified. Countless success stories abound in industries such as insurance, banking, retailing, and media, where organizations have harnessed the power of digitalization to achieve remarkable results.

Through my personal journey of digital awakening, I have come to appreciate the immense value of embracing digital transformation wholeheartedly. It is not just about adopting new technologies; it is about fundamentally shifting the mindset and culture of an organization to leverage the full potential of digital possibilities.

As we stand at the precipice of a digital revolution, it is imperative that organizations understand the profound impact digital transformation can have on their future success. Leaders must embrace the potential of technology and champion its integration within their organizations. They must foster a culture of innovation, empower their employees to embrace change, and ensure that digitalization is not merely a superficial rebranding of traditional approaches.

My personal journey of digital awakening has reinforced the significance of top management buy-in, interest, and understanding in achieving successful digital transformation. Without the occurrence of this transformation, progress will be hindered or significantly delayed. It is a journey that continues to evolve, as organizations across the globe navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.

As time progresses, it becomes evident that technology, systems, information, business capabilities, organization, and leadership should of-course reinforce one another rather than work against each other. So, which models align with each other, and which ones do not? So Architectural thinking and design span across everything.

So, let us embark on this transformative journey together, fueled by the knowledge that the future belongs to those who wholeheartedly embrace the power of digital transformation.

If you have the time why not take a look at Adrians talk from GOTO 2016, Stockholm
- It´s Simple