IT Revolution

Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating! ??

Innovation isn't always a linear process. This article highlights the importance of embracing unexpected outcomes in product development. By examining historical "happy accidents" like the invention of Teflon and Viagra, we gain valuable insights into fostering a culture of innovation in our organizations. How can we create environments that turn accidents into opportunities? #InnovationStrategy #Leadership #ProductDevelopment #UnbundlingTheEnterprise https://itrev.io/3TJnOdl

Proud to share an inspiring story of leadership and resilience from Southwest Airlines' CIO Lauren Woods. When faced with an $800 million operational challenge, Woods and her team didn't just implement quick fixes—they seized the opportunity to fundamentally transform their technology infrastructure. The results speak volumes: Southwest now leads US airlines with the lowest flight cancellation rate, thanks to innovations like their "Cairo" flight optimization tool and rapid-response customer service solutions. Woods' approach reminds us that true innovation often emerges from our greatest challenges. Her team's journey from crisis to industry leadership demonstrates how the right mix of strategic thinking, technological investment, and bold decision-making can transform obstacles into opportunities. What stands out to us is Woods' analogy of being "like a designated driver at a party"—taking responsibility for solutions even when you didn't create the problem. That's real leadership. Read the full article at the link in comments!

"This is a good read for anyone, whether an industry professional, up and coming entrepreneur, or just someone who likes learning about new ideas." From Flobey's review of Unbundling the Enterprise by Stephen Fishman and Matt McLarty. Read the full review on Amazon!

With so many holidays approaching, it's time to kick back and do some pleasure reading. These books will help you relax, and hopefully spark some inspiration! ??The Phoenix Project Graphic Novel Vol. 1 by Gene Kim and Mike Collins ??The Unicorn Project by Gene Kim ??Investments Unlimited by Helen Beal ??, Bill Bensing, Jason Cox, Michael Edenzon, Dr. Tapabrata "Topo" Pal, Caleb Queern, John Rzeszotarski, Andrés Vega, and John Willis ??The (Delicate) Art of Bureaucracy by Mark Schwartz ?? Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge by John Willis with Derek Lewis

"Your goal in high-stakes communication is to get people to understand what you're asking them to do and then have their hearts and minds wedded to doing it." —Paul Gaffney After driving major transformations at Home Depot and Dick's Sporting Goods, Gaffney shared his practical approach at the Enterprise Technology Leadership Summit 2024. His key insight? Leaders must address all workplace motivations. From customer impact to personal growth opportunities, every aspect matters in gaining true buy-in. #LeadershipCommunication #TechnologyTransformation #ChangeManagement Link in comments!

A few days back, I was grateful to receive the author signed copy of “Unbundling the Enterprise” by my dear friends and thought-leaders Stephen Fishman and Matt McLarty In today's rapidly evolving landscape, the key to business success and innovation lies in intentionally fostering an environment that generates and capitalizes on emerging opportunities. Stephen and Matt provide a practical framework for developing the mindset and methodology to build a 'composable enterprise' - one that harnesses optionality, expands its luck surface area, and positions itself to experiment rapidly and convert opportunities into success. With powerful real-world examples drawn from both digital disruptors and well-established incumbent firms in a variety of industries, Unbundling the Enterprise is an essential read for leaders striving to build an antifragile, thriving business poised for sustainable growth. Kudos to Stephen and Matt for this insightful and practical read. ?? And, thanks guys for sending this signed copy over - to be proudly displayed in my “rare books” shelf ??

"There are lots of books out there on APIs. What 'Unbundling the Enterprise' does differently is lay out a game plan for building, sharing, and capitalizing on APIs so you can take advantage of 'happy accidents' when they come along — accidents like the sudden popularity of the iPhone or generative AI." From John Bennett's review of Unbundling the Enterprise by Stephen Fishman and Matt McLarty. Read the full review on Amazon (or leave your own).

"From a cybernetic point of view, every activity an organization takes to keep moving in the right direction (whether management, training, IT systems, etc.) is part of a control system, a cybernetic feedback loop... None of this is new. None of this is controversial. But it is challenging to put into practice, especially in large groups." From the book Flow Engineering by Steve Pereira and Andrew Davis.

?? Rediscovering MVP's true purpose: It's about rapid learning, not feature minimization. Are you prioritizing customer feedback over feature completeness? Let's get back to the roots of effective innovation! #StartupStrategy #ProductInnovation #LeanStartup Link in comments!