| | July 20178CIOReviewIT Leaders currently contemplating digital transformation feel a lot like summer vacationers on their first day at the beach. Excited, they rush to the waters' edge--after all, that's where the fun is. But before long, the shock of the frigid waters laps at their toes and they retreat, chastened, unprepared and left looking at others frolicking in the waters and wondering "How did they do it?"Such is the dilemma of IT leadership in 2017. Digital Transformation looks like the frigid sea, fraught with crashing waves, sharp rocks, and ugly little creatures lurking under the surface. And many of our peers and even our business partners are rushing past us saying, "Come on in, the water's fine!"The water may indeed be fine on the surface. After all, you don't know what you don't know. But what dangers lurk beneath?First, let's understand what we mean by "digital transformation." Literally speaking, computers have been transforming the way we do business since they were introduced in the 1950's. What we are calling digital transformation now is the profound way in which technology is impacting how we interact with the world. It is born of the convergence of three powerful trends:· The emergence of new technologies yielding unprecedented capabilities· A highly competitive and efficiency-conscious business environment· The dramatic rise in the voice of the user within the systemMobility--in its broadest definition the idea that smart, connected technologies can eliminate the friction in business processes--is the key enabler of digital transformation. Digital transformation's goal is frictionless workflow.So where do we begin? What follows are some practical guidelines for encouraging IT leaders to plant a foot in the incoming tide with confidence.Get FocusedMobility is not something you can do off the side of your desk. A small, motivated team with a clearly defined mission and the support of IT is critical to the introduction of this paradigm. And yes, mobility is a paradigm not a technology.Much like a successful startup, the team will need a variety of skills. The ability to educate and evangelize the organization is key along with the practical skills to implement solutions. It is critical that the team demonstrates a bias for action by getting in the game with quick wins that generate momentum. These "wins" will likely be purchased solutions that show immediate benefit, but will enable the team to claim the mantle of mobility within the organization.Partner With The BusinessYour business partners see the same news stories, view the same ads, and read the same blogs as you. Take the lead and include them in your planning or you Digital Transformation Starts With Mobility: Some Practical AdviceBy Mike Baca, Director, Digital Transformation and Mobility, AmerisourceBergen Corp [NYSE:ABC]Mike BacaIN MY Opinion
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