What does the term “digital transformation” mean to you?

Is it about digital customer experiences? Digital operations? Transforming business models? Leveraging software ecosystems? Is it a floor wax? A dessert topping? 

Digital transformation (DT) as a term loses meaning when it involves everything under the sun. Over the past few years, we’ve seen companies label anything and everything as “digital transformation” — no wonder why DT initiatives meander and stall. 

Companies that succeed with transformation initiatives keep a laser focus on using technology to deliver business results. How? Not with long cycles of business requirements and software implementations.

Instead, they continuously experiment and innovate with technologies to achieve real business results. They understand how to use technology to optimize their workforce (think automation) and how they can optimize talent to deliver their best work. And they create adaptable organizations that can flex with changing needs and opportunities that they uncover in the market.

We’re excited that tech-driven innovation will be the theme of our Digital Transformation & Innovation 2019 Forum, on May 14 and 15 in Chicago. Join us to hear from speakers such as Scott Snyder from Heidrick & Struggles, Michael Lysaght from WW, Michael McNamara from Target, Lance Braunstein from E-TRADE, and Steven Johnson, author of Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most. In addition, you’ll hear from Forrester analysts James McQuivey, Ted Schadler, J. P. Gownder, Fatemeh Khatibloo, and Michele Goetz, among others. And you’ll learn more about: 

  • Transforming foundational technologies. Innovation doesn’t just apply to new technologies. You’ll find out how companies can transform their core technologies to better drive business results through artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and new ways of sourcing software. 
  • Innovating with emerging technologies. You’ll discover how leaders innovate with emerging tech, what the results of that innovation look like, and how companies are overcoming innovation barriers. You’ll participate in a group exercise to reinforce what you’ve learned, and you’ll go back to your job with an innovation to-do list.
  • The future of work. Automation, AI, and robotics are top priorities for many innovators in 2019. You’ll learn why mastering these technologies requires investments in fundamentals — from employee culture to leadership style to organizational structure — to drive maximum value.

This is just a taste of what is going to be a great lineup that will include many more presentations from companies that have succeeded with transformation, as well as our analyst experts. And we’ll kick it off with a pre-Forum workshop that focuses exclusively on innovating with emerging technologies. 

I hope to see you at the Digital Transformation & Innovation 2019 Forum on May 14 and 15.