Digital is no longer ‘just another channel’, but a means of business growth by itself. It provides the basis of new business models, but also the possible disruption of your traditional business. New digital growth is all about exploring new channels, guided by value streams, with the goal of providing the ultimate customer experience.

Leading companies agree: everything starts with data. Not only in the context of a better understanding of customers, market dynamics and finance, but also for streamlining the process, both internally and across the chain. Here is an ever-increasing call for the correct meta and master data. After all, data is the basis for AI!

The traditional focus of IT used to be on systems in the back office. A few years ago, the customer was suddenly seen as the starting point. Process optimization and streamlining of systems are still important, but mostly in the context of creating an optimal customer experience. Today, the customer is at the center of most innovations.

It is the heart of every organization, the so-called backoffice, the transactional systems and the supply chain. They are subject to a rapid modernisation. The move to the cloud started a few years ago, but now we also see extreme automation, made possible by process mining and innovative technology. The heart of the organisation is beating faster every day.

Robotics, process automation, block chain, internet or things, artificial intelligence, smart devices and sensors often encite a direct business need. No push from IT but a pull from the organisation. How do you as a CIO and IT organisation cope with this? It’s a matter of betting on the right horse, of making the right choices.

Cybersecurity is an important pillar of business continuity and data privacy protection. Most boards have traditionally not paid enough attention to these issues. Nevertheless, security and data privacy deserve all the attention. To prevent any problems and to take chances. It is a matter of security, compliance and also reputation!