Here's how you can master the key skills for excelling in a creative IT Strategy role.

Lots of good tips here on Business, Technology and more. My 2 more cents: 1. Share the document with the business team and also the entire IT team, they have to deliver whatever you have dreamt up 2. Link the outcomes to Revenue, Profitability, Operational efficiency and customer service/satisfaction. Helps in acceptance across the company 3. Review quarterly and on-demand to adapt to something changing for the industry or a new shiny tech makes its appearance 4. Benchmark within the industry as well as with others to showcase your standing 5. Have conviction and confidence in your teams ability to deliver; it goes a long way when you talk internally and externally on what you are going to deliver in the short-mid-long term !

In many organisations (of late) have noticed that IT Stragery supersedes business goals and IT becomes the key driver due to mis conception of digital transformation. The strategy should have to align with business innovation.

IT strategy has to be a reflection of Business strategy. While designing your IT strategy, please ensure: 1. IT Strategy should act as an enabler for achieving business goals 2. IT Strategy should incorporate latest technological advancements to meet business goals. 3. IT strategy should bring the transformation required for achieving business goals. 4. IT strategies should incorporate people change management required both at IT and business team levels.

Here are the two basics I consider important to understand: 1. The role of IT varies across industries and organizations, and it’s crucial to recognize and respect this reality. In some cases, IT functions as an enabler, partnering with the business to provide the foundation for delivering value. In others, IT serves as the driver, expected to stay ahead of trends and leverage cutting-edge technology to generate value. 2. Regardless of the role of IT you’re strategizing for, your primary responsibility is to constantly prioritize and make trade-offs based on a comprehensive understanding of the bigger picture, while evolving with it. Clarity on what’s most important now, later, and in the long run is key.

As mentioned in my answer to point 1, the strategist’s role is to provide unique insights based on a bird‘s-eye view, develop and secure buy-in for the plans inspired by those insights, and drive the team’s actions to implement the plan. The “trends” are merely snapshots from that bird’s-eye view; they are not yet your strategy. How you interpret these trends, break them down, and reassemble them into unique insights—and then leverage those insights to align IT with business goals—constitutes your strategy. When analyzing trends, do so with a clear purpose.

Analyzing trends is a crucial skill for a creative IT strategist, as it allows you to stay ahead of the curve and identify technologies that could propel your business forward. This requires more than just keeping up with the latest tech news; it involves actively engaging in industry events, forums, and discussions where groundbreaking ideas are shared. By developing a keen eye for emerging technologies and critically evaluating their potential impact, you can identify opportunities for your organization to gain a competitive advantage. Early adoption of transformative technologies, guided by informed trend analysis, can position your business as a leader in innovation.

Technology Trend Analysis: I’ve always stayed ahead by analyzing and adopting emerging technologies. During my tenure leading the E-Commerce Program, I identified opportunities to leverage AI and blockchain, which were then integrated into the program’s technology solutions, positioning Dubai as an e-commerce hub. Proactive Innovation: My role in 4th Generation Technology Strategies involved anticipating future disruptions, enabling me to position organizations for long-term success through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI, Cloud and RPA.

Staying ahead in IT strategy requires keen analysis of emerging trends. Regularly review advancements in technology, such as AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. I’ve found that identifying and leveraging these trends early can provide a competitive edge. Use data-driven insights to understand how these trends impact your industry and incorporate relevant innovations into your strategic plans.

A client problem needs to be understood from external and internal view. an external view is to understand the market trends and analyze pain and gain areas with specific focus to the problem. an internal view is based on speaking to client and then analyzing the volumetric data to come with insights. Both internal and external view will help to zoom into specific use cases that can go forward to solution engineering and further detailing

Creating a safe space to ask critical questions and challenge long-held assumptions can create the atmosphere required for unlocking creative thinking across the team. Creating effective strategies isn't about an oracle being the progenitor of ideas, coming up with blue-sky thinking that won't stand against the test of reality. It's about creating a collaborative environment where ideas are fostered, considered, studied, and reasoned about in the context of how we deliver more value. The most elegant technical solutions are not often the ones that win the day with our customers. Seek to meet the customer where they need technology to be, and you'll be on a good track with your strategic direction.

Problem solving can be accelerated thru use of right kind of data to generate insights and foster creative thinking. Benchmarking against similar situations, conducting scenario-based workshops, and brainstorming with peers/colleagues can create new ideas that can be scanned to build a timeline to act on priority topics and move ahead

Fostering creativity in IT Strategy is about embracing innovative problem-solving rather than just generating wild ideas. It involves challenging your assumptions and engaging with diverse perspectives, whether through collaboration with colleagues from various departments, attending workshops, or setting aside time for brainstorming. By remaining open to new ideas and willing to take calculated risks, you create an environment where creativity can flourish, leading to groundbreaking solutions that drive your IT strategy forward.

Innovative Problem-Solving: Creativity in my roles has meant finding novel solutions to complex challenges. For example, in the Strategy Transformation Initiative, I worked closely with top consultants to drive innovative solutions that enhanced organizational performance. Cross-Functional Collaboration: By engaging with cross-functional teams (Dubai South, JAFZA, DAFZA, Leading global E-commerce, logistics and Courier companies) I fostered a culture of creativity and collaboration, ensuring that the Customer Experience Transformation initiative delivered innovative and impactful results.

Creativity is a driving force in developing effective IT strategies. Encourage brainstorming sessions and explore unconventional solutions to traditional problems. From leading AI initiatives, I’ve learned that fostering a culture of creativity can uncover novel approaches to complex challenges. Promote an environment where team members feel empowered to think outside the box and contribute innovative ideas.

In a creative IT Strategy role, effective communication is crucial for bridging the gap between complex technical concepts and stakeholder understanding. It's essential to articulate your ideas in a clear and accessible manner, ensuring that both technical and non-technical audiences can grasp the value of your proposed strategies. Simplifying technical jargon and emphasizing the value proposition of new technologies can help you convey your message more effectively, making it easier for stakeholders to appreciate the potential benefits and support your initiatives.

Simplifying Complex Concepts: My ability to communicate complex IT strategies in a clear and compelling manner was crucial when proposing the E-Commerce Program to stakeholders. I articulated the benefits of adopting blockchain technology in a way that resonated with both technical and non-technical audiences. Stakeholder Engagement: Effective communication was key in aligning cross-functional teams during the CRM Digital Transformation Program. By simplifying technical jargon, using various personas and developing Customer journeys, I ensured that all stakeholders were on board with the digital initiatives.

Effective communication is key to translating complex IT strategies into actionable plans. Clearly articulate your vision, strategies, and expected outcomes to stakeholders at all levels. My experience has shown that presenting strategies in a compelling and understandable manner builds buy-in and support. Use visuals and straightforward language to make your ideas accessible and persuasive.

Communication is key for IT strategist role. it is about putting the message across, with narrative on specific stories that has been witnessed within same industry or other industry. Stories convey much more than just simple content

That's one of the most difficult things to handle in the tech world, and it has to be managed from the beginning. Your people need to be encouraged about effective communication methodologies.

Long-Term Planning: In leading the E-Commerce Program at Dubai Customs, I strategically aligned our initiatives with Dubai’s government e-commerce and blockchain strategies. This involved not only creating a robust e-commerce policy but also ensuring it adhered to global standards, setting a strong foundation for Dubai to become a major e-commerce hub. Alignment with Global Standards: I spearheaded the development of policies that were in line with international e-commerce and blockchain standards. This strategic alignment was critical for positioning Dubai as a competitive player in the global market, enabling seamless integration with Free zones, e-commerce platforms, and logistics companies.

Strategic planning involves setting clear, achievable goals and outlining the steps needed to reach them. Develop a structured approach to planning that includes risk assessment, resource allocation, and timeline management. In my roles, I’ve found that detailed planning ensures alignment with business objectives and provides a roadmap for successful implementation. Regularly review and adjust plans to stay responsive to changing conditions.

Its crucial step as here at this point you will converge all your understanding of problem space and solution options. Here are a few things to consider ( Obviously there could be many ways of planning) - Define Vision and Mission - Identify the Value Creations vs Implimentation Efforts - Identify short term Gains and Low hanging fruits - Create short term and Long term Technology adoption roadmap - Check the possibilities of synergy between technologies - Risk and Challenge identification - Define Major milestones and KPIs to monitor progress

Strategic planning is key to a successful IT Strategy. It’s all about creating long-term plans that match IT projects with business goals. Start by setting clear objectives and outlining the steps to reach them. Use scenario planning to anticipate possible challenges and adjust your strategy as needed. Good planning ensures IT investments provide the most value and drive business growth. By aligning IT with your business strategy, you’ll maximize impact and success. #ITStrategy #StrategicPlanning #BusinessGrowth #ScenarioPlanning #ITInvestments #genzsolutions #arthdatasolutions #kodokompany

Continuous learning is key in any field, IT or otherwise. Gone are the days, and if we don't learn and upskill continuously, we will be dead soon. Technology is evolving continuously, faster data computing and new business topics, this will require continuous be on top of the work. Learn, Relearn and Learn New

In the fast-moving IT world, staying updated is crucial for sharp, creative strategies. Keep your skills fresh by earning new certifications, attending training sessions, and watching industry trends. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. This will help you stay ahead and bring fresh, innovative solutions to the table. Remember, in IT, being up-to-date is key to staying competitive. Keep learning, stay sharp, and lead the way! #ITStrategy #ContinuousLearning #Certifications #Innovation #CareerGrowth #genzsolutions #arthdatasolutions #kodokompany

Understand Basics: IT’s role can be as an enabler or a driver. Prioritize and make trade-offs based on a broad understanding of immediate and long-term needs. Analyze Trends: Trends provide insights but aren’t strategies. Use them to inform a comprehensive IT strategy aligned with business. Foster Creativity: Create a space for questioning and idea refinement. Focus on meeting customer needs with practical, impactful solutions. Communicate Effectively: Bridge technical concepts and stakeholder understanding with clear, jargon-free language and visuals. Strategic Planning: Align IT initiatives with business and global standards. Develop plans with risk assessment. Continuous Learning: Maintain an edge and drive innovation by staying updated

We are in the Information Era, and you won't survive without continuous learning in any field of your life. You need to feed your brain constantly to understand the world. And the same happens with your organization.