Changing the digital technology narrative - #RedefineValue

Last week I had an inspiring discussion with Saori Dubourg (member of executive board at BASF), follow-up to the dialogue we initiated during European Business Summit in Brussels. We discussed the role of business, technology & the bridge generation (generation between boomers & Gen Z to which both of us belong). It was quite refreshing to discuss the role of business beyond wealth creation, our contribution towards creating a sustainable & equitable world, a topic that has gotten relatively less importance since the banking crisis. The bridge generation has a unique opportunity to ‘hit refresh’. Fundamental to this shift is the way financial analysts & markets value any firm, how we reward those who are making the world a better place. So far the conversation around digital technology, AI etc has been focused around man vs. machine. However, digital technology can play a profound role in accelerating the sustainability goals. What if we changed the narrative of digital technology from seeking profit to seeking sustainability? It could unlock our energies towards a constructive & meaningful goal, one where we can make a real step change during next 10 years using digital. I am convinced looking at the examples all around us (some of which are documented on www.digitalempowers.com) that digital is a ‘hit refresh’ moment to anchor our businesses towards being purpose & empathy lead, seeking transformation that goes beyond profits.