The era of disruption is driving business innovation and transformation, and becoming a responsive organisation is critical to thriving in this connected age.
“The world has undergone dramatic change in recent times,” Microsoft SA emphasised at a media event in Johannesburg.
This dynamic process has culminated in a giant connected network in which people can quickly and easily find information.
People are also enabled to communicate and collaborate with anyone from around the globe at any time, using any of their devices.
Organisations are challenged by keeping up with the rapid pace of change, as most companies still utilise hierarchical communication structures, top-down decision-making processes, as well as siloed team structures for employees.
This is particularly a challenge for South African companies, who are competing with international organisations for market share.
This was the topic of discussion for a distinguished panel that Microsoft hosted, including:
- Uriel Rootshtain Application and Services Business Lead- Microsoft SA
- Dobek Pater Analyst- African Analysis
- David Prosser Disruptor- Community
- Stelios Vakis Programme Executive- Nedbank
- Wayne Koonin Group Finance Director- Omnia Group
- Kate Skinstad- EY- People Advisory Services
The panel emphasised that every industry is open to disruption at any time – no matter how traditional the industry is.
“The businesses that are ahead of the curb will be the ones that empower their staff through universal communications technology,” the panel said.
Such businesses are able to more effectively respond to customer demands, as well as disruption from competitors, and to remove barriers to effective, immediate decision-making.
“This results in enhanced levels of efficiency and productivity,” the panel added.
Smaller companies and start-ups tend to be more agile and are therefore most likely to adapt to industry change – or even to create the disruption themselves.
“Large companies often make it difficult for themselves by being resistant to change, so it is important to invest in innovative technologies,” said the panel.
New technology is often pushed towards IT, but the panel warned against this.
“IT prefers to develop rather than plug-and-play, making it very resistant to change – but you want to leverage the building blocks that are out there because things are changing so quickly now.”
Interestingly, the panel revealed that social media teams are normally the most responsive to change because they are so accustomed to the inherent adaptive infrastructure of these platforms.
