Nine Things Digital Leaders Do
They Set Unreasonably Aspirational Targets
Aim high in setting goals for cost reduction, market share growth, etc. If your targets don’t make the troops a bit nervous, you probably aren’t aiming high enough.
They Acquire Talent Resourcefully
They’re not afraid to go outside their industry to land top performers, for example, realizing that skills matter over experience.
They Challenge Everything
Don’t accept historical norms. Question the status quo. Constantly ask “Why?” on both the customer-facing front and back-office systems and processes.
They Thrive on Great Data
In doing so, they integrate data sources into a single system accessed organization-wide to improve the clock speed of innovation.
They Obsess About Customer Experience
They push constantly to establish frictionless customer interactions from channel to channel, knowing that 86% of customers will pay more for a great experience.
They Constantly Monitor for Opportunities—and Threats
Disruptive technologies create opportunities which emerge from new and unexpected places. But they also enable smaller, nimbler competitors who will grab them before you do.
They Find Fresh Alternatives to Traditional R&D
They understand how to maximize effectiveness of peer-to-peer product innovation, crowdsourcing and more to improve products and services without major costs.
They Create Unified Structures Throughout Global Operations
Standardization and integration across borders breaks down solos and increases operational visibility and performance.
They Relentlessly Re-Examine Existing Business Models
Digital leaders recognize that digitization isn’t a one-stop journey and that agile adaption to change is an ongoing process.
