365 DAYS LATER. Life in TECHNOLOGY.

2022.

A year to remember the good, the bad, and the indifferent.

For the last few years I have felt particularly alone in the sense of the speed of time and the speed in which any given day, week, and month can get away from you. This was before I entered back into the digital tech and corporate arena. I had felt this way since 2017 and since I turned 40 and my father passed away that same year in July.

This I cannot change. My mother said that would be the case. She was right.

But what I do know is that every day I get a shot at doing something well, learning something new, listening to someone talk, or helping someone out, then that is a day in the right direction and a day not to be wasted wondering why or what if.

2022 was the year that I understood fully what this landscape had to offer, what the process of sales, marketing, and business development looked like back in the corporate world, and the steps needed to undertake a dual role in this newfound territory and the platforms and movements that were going to be needed to make things work..... over time.

We are now in DIGITAL times. Analogue mode is OVER.

My learnings internally have allowed me to see, show and understand the context of some areas of technology and digital transformation that for some and for my earlier self, were unknown. The vast arena we now play in has multiple plays, a huge opportunity to learn, and the capacity to buckle some of the finest teams in any business. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION is not an overnight success. It is tough and diverse in equal measure.

Below I am going to share my Top 10 findings from 2022. Then from there my Top 10 ideas and thoughts as we move into 2023 at pace and seek more from our customers and prospects.

FINDINGS.

1. The competition in Scotland alone is exciting and buoyant indeed.
2. Digital Transformation is really complex unless you trust a partner and have a solid plan.
3. The cloud is a place that most businesses should aim to visit in the next 12 months.
4. Supply Chain was super disruptive and the chip shortage was undeniable.
5. Lean into your peers and discuss the tech space as a group. Share the insights.
6. CX will become a KEY force in how you GTM over the next 12/24 months.
7. Automation is fun and interesting. You don't compete. You coach and learn.
8. As a Service is here to stay. The data is all there. Tech changes to quick to CapEx.
9. Communication is still the KEY player in how TEAMS can win and retain staff.
10. Enjoy the ride. It is a competitive landscape. TRUST is KEY. Listen and then Help.

Anyone can add to the above if they wish. After all, the conversation is KING on here. What have you seen? What have you learned from 2022? What would you do differently and what were the highlights?

Now for the next 12 months as we move into 2023.

IDEAS & THOUGHTS FOR 2023

1. China will have major SC disruption continue, India will gain more opportunities.
2. Plan ahead with your supply chain and freight. Then plan again to de-risk.
3. Cloud projects will explode. Built key teams around these specific projects.
4. Automation will gain more visibility as talent will look to learn more.
5. Acquisition will still be buoyant as businesses look to expand their portfolio.
6. CX will become more inclusive across the C-Suite. Experience is KEY.
7. More conversations will happen across DIGITAL FIRST channels.
8. Cyber is still a moving target.
9. Leadership across social channels will start to dominate industry demographics.
10. Learning new skills across the year will be critical to staying relevant. Differentiate.

So, in my shorthand kind of way, it has been both trying and exciting in equal measure. Some things have helped, and some things have hindered. But in such a landscape we have to expect that issues, concerns, and roadblocks are sometimes always in play, and how we choose to engage them and push on through will shape how we move into this new year and take advantage of what is coming.

Either way. It's better to be part of it than watch from the sidelines.

“Life moves pretty fast….. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

365 days later. A year in TECH.

Here's to the next 365.

Kev