From Kitchen Renovation to Core Modernization: Should I Write a Book? Would You Read It?

For the past 30 years, I’ve dedicated my career to the banking industry, helping institutions navigate the complexities of digital transformation and core system modernization. Over that time, one mantra has consistently proven true: “Anything new in production today is legacy tomorrow.”

This simple truth has driven my work, from my early days as a consultant to my time at IBM , and now in my role at Samlink – A Kyndryl Company . Along the way, I’ve developed a deep focus on how banks can modernize their business models and IT landscapes to meet new customer expectations and keep pace with disruptive trends like embedded finance, platformification, and customer centricity.

Through years of successes, failures, and a lot of learning, I’ve crafted a repeatable approach to modernization, a method I call Ecosystem Enabled Banking. It’s a framework designed to minimize risk, accelerate time to value, and embrace the agility required to navigate an uncertain future.

And now, I’m asking myself: Should I turn this journey into a book?

The Inspiration Behind the Idea

I’ve always admired some of my close friends and fellow industry thought leaders like Paolo Sironi , Brett King , and Leda Glyptis PhD , who have not only shaped the dialogue around banking and fintech but have also successfully translated their ideas into bestselling books. Their ability to distill complex concepts into engaging narratives has inspired me over the years.

In fact, I recently had a conversation with Leda about whether I should write a book. Her advice was candid:

It’s hard. It takes focus. And most importantly, you need to know who you are writing it for and what you want to write about.

At the time, I didn’t have an answer to that last question. But now, after refining the Ecosystem Enabled Banking approach and delivering keynotes on the topic, I believe I do.

Why Write This Book Now?

The banking industry is at a critical juncture. Legacy systems, while generally reliable, are increasingly becoming barriers to innovation. Customers demand personalized, seamless experiences. Fintechs are eroding traditional market shares. And technologies like AI, open banking, and digital currencies are reshaping what’s possible.

In this environment, banks need more than just a roadmap for modernization, they need a mindset shift. Additionally, many approaches to core modernization in the past have failed to deliver on expectation. This is where Ecosystem Enabled Banking comes in.

Outlined in my recent white paper, the approach is built around four core pillars:

1. Aligning Transformation with Business Outcomes: Modernization isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about enabling business goals, whether that’s improving customer experience, reducing costs, or launching new services.

2. Designing a Future-Ready Target Architecture: Start by envisioning the desired end-state, not by analyzing the constraints of legacy systems. This avoids building tomorrow’s strategy around today’s limitations.

3. Leveraging Ecosystem Partners: No bank can modernize in isolation. Success comes from collaborating with independent software vendors (ISVs), fintechs, and other partners to bring best-in-class capabilities to the table.

4. Sustaining Change Through New Skills and Operating Models: Modernization isn’t a one-time project. It requires ongoing investment in people, processes, and technologies to remain agile in the face of change.

Writing this book now feels like the natural next step in sharing these insights. But I don’t want to write just another business book. I want to take a different approach.

A Story-Driven Approach

Some of you may know about the keynote I deliver on Ecosystem Enabled Banking. In it, I draw a humorous but relevant analogy between progressive modernization and an unexpected kitchen renovation project I undertook. The story resonates because it makes a complex subject relatable, illustrating the importance of preparation, adaptability, and collaboration. You can see a shortened version of my keynote on You Tube:

The book I’m envisioning would build on this keynote, using the renovation story as a narrative framework to explore the principles of Ecosystem Enabled Banking. Each chapter would align with a phase of the renovation—planning, demolishing, rebuilding, and future-proofing—while drawing parallels to the modernization journey banks must undertake.

The goal is to make the book engaging, accessible, and practical—a guide for banking professionals navigating their own transformation challenges.

Would Anyone Read It?

This brings me to the heart of this blogpost: Should I write this book? And would anyone read it?

I’m reaching out to you, my LinkedIn network and the broader Fintech Daydreaming community, to get your thoughts. Do you think a story-driven approach to banking transformation would add value to the conversation? Would you find it helpful to see real-world lessons framed in a narrative context?

Bottom line, would you read it, if i wrote it?

Why This Matters

At its core, this isn’t just about writing a book. It’s about fostering dialogue and driving meaningful change in an industry that’s under constant pressure to evolve. By sharing my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned, I hope to contribute to the broader conversation about how banks can thrive in the face of disruption.

Modernization is hard. It’s risky. And as the old saying goes, it often feels like “open-heart surgery while running a marathon.” But it’s also essential. And with the right approach—one that’s strategic, collaborative, and customer-focused—it’s possible to turn challenges into opportunities.

Your Feedback Matters

So, what do you think? Should I write this book? Would you read it? And if you’ve ever tackled a major transformation, whether in banking, business, or even your own home, what lessons did you learn along the way?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or send me a message. And if you’d like to learn more about the Ecosystem Enabled Banking approach or discuss your own modernization journey, let’s connect.

Together, we can shape the future of banking—and maybe, just maybe, turn it into a book worth reading.