The next layer of a digital business strategy is the operational implementation within and across business functions. Here, in particular, I see my role as a facilitator. I help to balance standards and automation with the opportunity to empower people to handle business processes more effectively.
Communication & collaboration…
in the context of a specific business context is an integrative part of my work. Here my goal is to moderate the attempt to find the biggest common denominator.
At the same time, we will ensure that standards and common ways of working don’t suffocate user groups – the future of digitalisation is supposed to create a joint foundation for individual and joint performance.
The right focus and the right priorities are paramount to the success in digitalisation. New megatrends, revolutionary technology and tool hit the corporate world with unseen frequency – it’s almost mind-boggling.
For business leaders and operational managers, it is becoming challenging to make well-informed decisions. The attempt to take all current factors into account and choose what’s state-of-the-art is almost impossible. Things are moving too fast for the way decisions are made today.
To step back from it all and use one’s position, ambitions, capabilities and limitations as a reference point can help. This doesn’t mean that decisions ignore the world outside such as customers, competitors and market ecosystem. It only means that decisions shouldn’t be taken while being chased by outside influence and pressure.
My Model for the Playing Fields in the Digital Arena helps to pinpoint the parts of the business that could specifically benefit from new digital opportunities.
(c) Philipp Rosenthal | Digital Sherpa (2019)
The model furthermore helps to connect the dots and see the footprint of a specific initiative, since it is an artificial separation of the fields: in reality, they are all connected and meddled up. It’s where complexity gets complicated. The abstraction helps to make it less complicated and facilitate a focussed discussion.
My Role in Digital Strategy Development
Along with the model, I help the involved stakeholders and teams to determine a strong foundation to make well-informed decisions. To achieve that, I work with the following essential tools:
Discovery and “snap shot” workshops
Reference and prioritisation models
Scoping and roadmap design workshops
Program and project design framework and documentation
Proposals and recommendations to leadership and management
My Objectives in Digital Strategy Development
Align perspectives and language
Form a strong team from individual experts
Develop a joint agreement on business case and motivation
Establish stable initiatives that can survive budget cuts and economic turmoil
Well aligned people are the foundation for successful projects. I help to transform strong individuals and subject matter experts into powerful teams, that move at similar pace towards a shared objective.
Sometimes even strong teams need support along the way. In particular when they are built from strong characters and have to operate in a complex and continuously changing environment.
If you’re looking for a speaker for conferences, events or simply for inspiring your workforce or leadership team, I’d love to support you with my on-stage presence.
