Digital Transformation. An overused term that still seems to be misunderstood. With Christopher Reckord and Trevor Forrest, the authors of the new book “Successful Digital Transformation: Your World, Your Business, Your Life… Reimagined”, we discuss the key elements in a digital transformation process that must be addressed to guarantee success, along with: whether Caribbean leaders are thinking big enough for their organisations and the impact on the digital transformation effort; why MSMEs may actually benefit the most from digitally transforming their business; and how organisations can better embrace innovation, which is critical to successful digital transformation.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

For at least the past five to seven years, “digital transformation” has been a popular buzzword, as organisations have been encouraged to deeply integrate technology into not only their processes but also their attitude and culture. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic truly drove home the importance and flexibility technology can offer, but these days, organisations still seem unclear about what digital transformation is all about, and more importantly, how to ensure that it is successfully realised.

Having said this, digitally transforming an organisation can be daunting and arguably, not for the faint of heart. However, it is becoming increasingly vital in our digital marketplace and digital world in order to remain competitive, and at the very least, to remain relevant. As a result, much has been said and written about digital transformation, but it is easy for leaders and those assigned to manage the process to get overwhelmed, and more so when there is not a clear understanding of what digital transformation entails.

In September, the book, “Successful Digital Transformation – Your World, Your Business, Your Life… Reimagined”, was published, and it is the subject of this podcast episode, which we will be discussing with its authors.

 

Christopher Reckord

Introducing our guests

Christopher Reckord is a Tech Entrepreneur with nearly four decades of experience in the delivery and implementation of Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation solutions. He is a member of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica and currently chairs their Innovation and Digital Transformation committee. Chris also serves on numerous boards and committees for the Government of Jamaica and other organizations. Alongside his professional accolades, he is the leading voice on wine in Jamaica, penning a weekly wine column for the Jamaica Observer for over a decade.

 

Trevor Forrest

 

Trevor Forrest is an IT Industry stalwart with over 30 years of seasoned experience. He has been at the forefront of ICT adoption in both public and private sectors and is the founder of 876 Technology Solutions. He has also served as Senior Technology Advisor to the Government of Jamaica and served on various ICT Committees and boards. He is a certified Blockchain Architect and an active member of the ISO Technical Committee on Blockchain. Beyond his professional engagements, Trevor is also a passionate music producer and a dedicated family man.

 

 

Insights into our conversation

Although the book is a quick read, as it is meant for executives and senior managers who need to get a handle on what digital transformation involves, it is still comprehensive. Several important concepts are covered that should not only provide a solid foundation but also help the reader ask the right questions when embarking on or deciding to embark on, their organisation’s own digital transformation process.

From the questions posed during our interview, many of which are outlined below, it was important to move beyond the hype and focus on practical or real-world issues that may be overlooked but ultimately, can thwart a digital transformation effort. There was also a specific focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which in the Caribbean region are the largest segment of the market, but often do not feature as prominently in conversations on digital transformation – though are likely to experience the greatest impact.

  1. Why write a book, and why write a book on digital transformation? What was the unique contribution you thought you could make to the digital transformation space?
  2. The title “Successful Digital Transformation – Your World, Your Business, Your Life… Reimagined” is an incredibly audacious title. What was the thinking behind the title?
  3. Do you think leaders think big with respect to their vision for their organisations, which ultimately should be a critical driver for digital transformation?
  4. One of the misconceptions the book seeks to debunk is that “only large enterprises can afford or benefit from digital transformation”. But the odds are that many SMEs are intimidated by the entire digital transformation process. How might they balance these seemingly countervailing forces?
  5. Many organisations, especially SMEs, start informally and eventually become established, formally organised and documented. But a lot remains unspoken, such as its governance and even its culture, and falls between the cracks, which can affect the success of the digital transformation process. Have you made similar observations? What are your thoughts?
  6. Another concept mentioned is Technology Debt. Please explain what it is and the implications of a ‘high technology debt’ versus a ‘low technology debt’.
  7. How might we be able to reconcile going through the intensive undertaking that a digital transformation typically is when it seems that our competitors are not doing the same?
  8. Underpinning digital transformation is innovation, but in the region, we tend to be risk-averse. What have been your observations and how might organisations better embrace innovation?
  9. What’s next for you both and for the book?

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select Links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  C Reckord;  T Forrest;  Rawpixels.com (Freepik)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez