"It's not the disruptor to focus on, but the disruption"

Some thoughts following a week of learning topics related to digital business transformation

It is difficult to get back to a business-as-usual life, spending hours in meetings, frenziedly (and tirelessly) putting off fires, and only being able to start productive work past 5pm... Indeed, the week I just spent was unbelievably inspirational and motivational, both an eye-opener on many subjects and a confirmation that my current career development choices are the right ones!

"Instead of a strategy and a plan, it is better to have agility and a vision. That's all you need." Prof. Mike Wade

During five days, I followed the Leading Digital Business Transformation program at the IMD Business School in Lausanne, with 50 fellow participants from diverse origins, backgrounds and industries, most of them being disrupted or on the verge to being disrupted within their respective industry. Actually, a third of us was in transition, showing that digital transformation is not only on the companies' agenda, but is also happening at individual level.

I learned what the link is between data, analytics and platforms, from a business point of view; how strategy must bring cost, experience and platform values; why disruption in the access to customers is more important than in the product or the experience areas; how platforms help companies pivot and find/invent new business models; how digital transformation is much more than tech, and that it must be orchestrated; why digital business agility is better than a strategy and a plan, and that it relies on hyperawareness, informed decision-making and fast execution; why China is so much advanced in the digital ecosystems; what the four responses to disruptors are; how information asymmetry can be reduced; why platforms will also be disrupted some day. And much more!

"It's not enough to focus on "Me". The moment you step in into "My World", it becomes much more powerful. What's important for me and my immediate environment adds value to the proposition." Prof. Goutam Challagalla

I had fantastic discussions - the format and content of the course enabling them to a great extent. I exchanged with other participants during rotating tables, simulations, and networking touch points, such as coffee (and Champagne!) breaks or lunch & dinner. Getting connected and remaining in contact is one of the main goals of this program.

I will surely dig further into exciting topics such as Digital Twins, Reverse Mentoring, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, or Digital Native Vertical Businesses - and Platforms, of course ;)

My next step though will be to take time to digest what I learned and try to find touch points with the current B2B transformation I am involved in. Indeed, I have to become a better advocate and communicator, showing what business transformation really means with regard to mindset and culture change, and that implementing a new tool or creating a new product is a defensive response, aimed at winning time but that usually doesn't change the long-term outcome.

"Digital Transformation is for the rich, not for the poor." Prof. Misiek Piskorski

Thanks to the program team & professors at IMD! I may be coming back for additional in-depth program modules such as Digital Execution and Leading in the Digital Age. We'll see how it develops for me.

Many thanks also to my fellow colleagues during the course; I strongly hope we stay in touch and continue sharing and learning from each other. Funny enough: I took an extra bunch of business cards with me, but we live in a digital world and I didn't hand over any of them. As a side effect, LinkedIn is now buzzing more than ever :)

All pictures by myself except group photo by IMD.

Also published on www.coyote-agile.net/its-not-the-disruptor-to-focus-on-but-the-disruption/