Tech Things I Care About (and maybe you do too?)

This week I thought I would highlight some things on my mind when thinking about some consulting gigs. I thought perhaps some of these might come up as topics to discuss in your organizations.

Digital Ethics

Digital Ethics is a topic of discussion with many of my clients, and I found an article that highlights ten key issues that will shape our future in terms of digital ethics. Something #CEO #CFO #CTO #CIO and other leaders will need to look at as they shape their organizations using AI, CRM, and other digital solutions that capture information from customers and users. Many of us are familiar with the value that technology can bring to an organization. Are we spending enough time thinking about corporate responsibility in the application of those technologies?

Articles:

What is Digital Ethics: 10 Key Issues Which Will Shape Our Future

Journal of Business Ethics: Business and the Ethical Implications of Technology

Hybrid and Collaborative Work - Reports

A few reports have come out in the last few weeks to understand better how to shape the future workplace based on how we functioned through 2020.

Microsoft: The Next Great Disruption is Hybrid Work – Are We Ready?

My big takeaway is the heading, “Leaders are out of touch with employees and need a wake-up call.” Data showed that 61% of leaders indicated they were “thriving,” In contrast, the non-decision-making employees sat at only 38%. When there is a significant gap in experience, companies need to take a hard look at the workplace’s actions and planning. We have noticed many organizations that treated work-from-home (WFH) as a replicated version of in-office work. WFH is a different animal; different leadership approaches must be taught to leaders moving forward.

Adobe, in their 2021 Digital Trends Experience Index (I tried to provide a direct link, but there is a paywall – payment: your information), I will mention highlights from it.

1.    Due to the jump in online service and product delivery during 2020, you have a new customer segment that needs attention, and that is the digital requesting customer who needed your services but could not go to a physical location.

2.    Customer Experience CX took a leap in attention (for enlightened companies) who focused on initial access and then iteratively improved the better experience by removing friction. (Digital access to products and services was previously an extra, and companies now realize customers want more of it.)

3.    There is a heightened need for digital talent.

4.    The lack of digital capabilities is a problem that is one-part technology and three-parts human. Workflow, legacy tech, and a lack of digital skills are hampering marketing and experience.

5.    Real-time personalized experiences are floating to the top of the priority list.

6.    Remarkable experience has several components: transparency, trust, empathy, and effectiveness.

The two reports above indicate a focus on a shift (or might I suggest a Sway**) in leadership approach and capabilities.

**Sway: When we think of bold or adaptable leaders, we see a tree swaying in the wind, no matter how hard and fast that wind blows. The tree is stable but not ridged. We call these Sway leaders.

_____________________

Patti Blackstaffe is igniting the fusion of technology and humanity. Author of Hacking YOU: A Digital Leader’s Guide to Self-Awareness, she helps digital leaders with organizational outcomes aligned with their strategic goals. Her Future Forward Growth? model and Universal Leadership Series at GlobalSway empower organizations to transform from within to meet their strategic objectives.