Johnson Conley

Leadership is a Matter of Performance

Month: May 2020

Security

How Secure Are We?

May 11, 2020 #Cybersecurity, #Global Supply Chain, #Security, #Supply Chain by Dennis Conley

In a recent development, semiconductor fabrication may be making a comeback in the United States according to this article in the Wall Street Journal. The chart above confirms concerns reported in the article about the high concentration of chip manufacturing suppliers in Asia. This is a example of the risks associated with our technology supply chain – highlighted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few years ago I published an article on the subject titled, “Security Risks and Exposures”. The article is as pertinent today as it was when it was first published.

Strategy

Incremental Digital Transformation

May 5, 2020 #Digital Strategy, #Digital Transformation, #Legacy Applications by Dennis Conley

In a recent Harvard Business Review article titled, “Discovery-Driven Digital Transformation,” the authors provide excellent insight into the challenges and opportunities established firms face trying to become digitally relevant. Important takeaways include:

  • Don’t approach digital transformation as a big bang initiative. It’s far better to approach digital change incrementally.
  • Established firms have an advantage in digital transformation as they have an intimate knowledge of existing customers and customer experiences. Firms also possess intimate knowledge of their processes as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their offerings.
  • Think like born-digital companies and expand your thinking to non-traditional competitor offerings and markets.
  • Focus on the business outcomes for each of your incremental digital improvements. Over time, the knowledge learned (successes and failures) through incremental digital transformation will be invaluable.

By starting small, the authors provide hope for companies unprepared for digital transformation. The approach presented also provides an opportune way to embrace digital transformation without huge budgets and the associated risks.