The 10 Most Influential Leaders in Tech to Follow, 2024

VOL 08 ISSUE 02 2024 Trailblazing in Tech To Follow, Pavan Pidugu Chief Technology Officer, FMCSA

teams, and to lead by example., , , , Successful CEOs are those who have the ability to inspire and motivate others, to build strong - Cyril Ramaphosa

s famously quoted by Mark Kennedy, “All of the It's estimated that around 30,000 electric vehicles had been biggest technological inventions created by man - produced by the turn of the 20th century, showcasing the A the airplane, the automobile, the computer - says early demand for more convenient transportation. However, little about his intelligence, but speaks volumes about his it was the internal combustion engine that ultimately laziness.” As humans, we often pride ourselves on our prevailed, as it offered a more efficient and cost-effective The Irony of intelligence and innovative spirit. We have created some of solution. the most remarkable technological marvels, from the airplane to the automobile and the computer. However, a While these inventions have undoubtedly improved our closer examination reveals an intriguing irony: many of lives in countless ways, it's fascinating to consider that they Human these progressive inventions were not necessarily born out were often driven by a desire to make things easier for of pure genius, but rather from a desire to make our lives ourselves by leaders who thought "there must be a better easier and more comfortable. way." This type of "laziness" is not about a lack of caring Ingenuity: but rather about finding an easier, better, and more efficient Take the airplane, for example. The Wright brothers' way of doing things. historic first flight in 1903 was an example of human Inven?ons Born ingenuity, but it was also a response to the desire to travel As we continue to stretch the boundaries of technology, faster and more efficiently than horses or ships. Similarly, CIOLook, in its latest edition,“The 10 Most Influential from Laziness the automobile, which revolutionized transportation, was Leaders in Tech to Follow, 2024,” highlights individuals initially developed to reduce the effort required to move who demonstrate this spirit of innovation driven by a desire people and goods. for efficiency and convenience. These leaders are not only pushing the envelope in their respective fields but are also Even the computer, a cornerstone of modern society, has its embodying the very foundation of "productive laziness." roots in the human quest for convenience. The first electronic digital computer, designed by John Atanasoff in Have a great read ahead! 1937, was created to simplify complex mathematical calculations. Today, computers have become an integral part of our daily lives, allowing us to access information, communicate, and entertain ourselves with unprecedented ease. -Alaya Brown Managing Editor

Contents PROFILES Trailblazing George Njuguna Innovating Tomorrow's Telecommunications Today Jayaraj Perumalsamy Architect of Technological Excellence ARTICLES Lessons in Resilience: How 5 Tech Founders Bounced Back from Failure S T O R Y Pivot or Persevere? 4 Tech Leaders Share C O V E R their De?ning Moments Embracing PSA Technology: The Key to Consultancy Growth and Pro?tability

Featured Company Brief Adam Mishler Adam Mishler is the Senior Vice President and Global Chief Best Buy SVP, Global Chief Information Security Officer at Best Buy, focusing on safeguarding the company's information assets and bestbuy.com Information enhancing cybersecurity measures. Security Officer Adam Pisoni is the Executive Chairman of Always Be Adam Pisoni Always Be Learning Pooja M Bansal Learning, focusing on educational initiatives and Executive Chairman ablschools.com technological advancements in learning environments. Editor-in-Chief and Founder CONTENT Anthony Adegbemi is the Chief Technology Officer at FOLLOW US ON Anthony Adegbemi Flex Finance, responsible for overseeing the development Flex Finance Deputy Editor Anish Miller Chief Technology/ and implementation of innovative financial technology www.facebook.com/ciolook flexfinance.ai Technical Officer solutions. Managing EditorAlaya Brown www.twitter.com/ciolook WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON Anthony Lee is the Managing Director at Altos Ventures, Anthony Lee Altos Ventures DESIGN where he oversees investment strategies and supports Managing Director altos.vc portfolio companies in achieving growth and innovation. Visualizer Dave Bates Art & Design Director Davis Martin Charles Beadnall serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Charles Beadnall GoDaddy CONTACT US ON GoDaddy, where he leads the company's technology strategy Associate Designer Jameson Carl Chief Technology godaddy.com and product development to enhance user experience and Officer Email business growth. info@ciolook.com SALES George Njugun is the Acting Chief Technology and For Subscription Information Officer at Safaricom PLC, where he oversees Senior Sales Managers Wilson T., Hunter D. George Njugun Safaricom PLC www.ciolook.com the technological strategy and information systems, playing Acting Chief Technology safaricom.co.ke and Information Officer Customer Success Manager Elvis S. a crucial role in enhancing the company's digital Copyright © 2024 CIOLOOK, All infrastructure. Sales Executives Tim, Smith rights reserved. The content and images used in this Jayaraj Perumalsamy is the Group Head of Information Jayaraj Perumalsamy magazine should not be Technology at Barakat, where he leads initiatives in digital Barakat TECHNICAL Group Head of reproduced or transmitted in transformation and technology integration across the barakatgroup.ae Information Technology any form or by any means, organization. Technical Head Peter Hayden electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or Technical Consultant Victor Collins Libby Leffler is the Founder and CEO of First, where she otherwise, without prior First Libby Leffler leads the company in developing innovative solutions aimed permission from CIOLOOK. Founder & CEO SME-SMO thisfirst.com Reprint rights remain solely at improving financial services. with CIOLOOK. Research Analyst Eric Smith Pavan Pidugu serves as the Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. SEO Executive Alen Spencer Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Pavan Pidugu FMCSA Administration (FMCSA). He is recognized for his leadership in Chief Technology driving technological advancements and digital transformation transportation.gov Officer within the agency, focusing on improving safety and efficiency in the transportation sector. sales@ciolook.com August, 2024 Ryan Knisley is the Chief Information Security Officer at Ryan Knisley The Walt Disney Company The Walt Disney Company, responsible for overseeing Chief Information the company's information security strategy and disneycareers.com Security Officer protecting its digital assets.

Trailblazing Pavan Pidugu Chief Technology Officer, FMCSA Pavan advocates for a though?ul and balanced approach to technology adop?on, where organiza?ons weigh the poten?al benefits of new technologies against their organiza?onal goals and values.

The 10 Most In?uential Leaders in Tech To Follow, 2024 avan Pidugu, the Chief Technology Officer at the excellence and his relentless pursuit of growth will FMCSA within the U.S. Department of undoubtedly continue to inspire those around him. P Transportation, embodies the essence of a visionary and transformation leader. With a rich background Leadership in Technological Initiatives For Pavan, the key to in technology innovations within the retail industry, Pavan has demonstrated a solid commitment to driving Pavan reflects on the unique opportunity he had to bridge balancing innova?on and organizational change and delivering transformative the worlds of technology and business, which ultimately regula?on lies in technology advancements. positioned him as a strong candidate for the role of Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of maintaining a clear focus Growing up in southern India with grandparents till the age Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety of 11, Pavan was instilled with a mindset of excellence and Administration (FMCSA). Despite his background on organiza?onal goals a thirst for knowledge from a young age. His grandparents primarily in the retail industry, Pavan embraced the and outcomes. and parents emphasized the importance of education and challenge of leading technological initiatives within a striving for excellence and to be in a position to help others, government setting, bringing fresh perspectives and setting the stage for Pavan's journey to success. From his strategies to the table. Over the past four years in his role, upbringing, Pavan developed a deep-rooted passion for Pavan has spearheaded numerous projects aimed at continuous learning and a drive to be the best in everything enhancing technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital tools for both internal employees and external he pursued. stakeholders of FMCSA. As a member of the executive Venturing to the United States over two decades ago as an team, Pavan also plays a crucial role in driving the agency's exchange student, upon completion his MBA, Pavan mission priorities and advocating for the integration of embarked on a career path defined by curiosity and a technology to promote safety within the trucking and relentless pursuit of growth. He deliberately chose roles that transportation industries. His ultimate goal is to contribute challenged him and expanded his learning opportunities, to the overarching mission of achieving "Mission Zero" - ultimately leading him to the realm of retail technology. His minimizing accidents and fatalities involving large trucks determination to constantly challenge and grow, led him to and buses through the strategic application of technology and innovation. pursue a Masters Degree from the prestigious Columbia University in the New York City to set himself to make it to the C-suite and be successful. Improving Safety Through Advanced Enforcement Pavan's tenure at prominent retail giants such as Walmart, Pavan emphasizes the critical role of technology in shaping Target, and NCR exemplifies his ability to thrive in fast- the goals and objectives of organizations across every paced environments where change is constant. His knack industry. Regardless of the sector, business and technology for understanding the intersection of technology and leaders must understand how technology can drive success business strategy has been instrumental in driving success and innovation within their organizations. Whether it's through mastering data analysis, digital marketing and innovation within these organizations. strategies, or navigating industry complexities, technology In his role as Chief Technology Officer at FMCSA, Pavan plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency and achieving leverages his diverse skill set to drive technological goals. advancements that enhance efficiency and meet the evolving expectations of customers. His ability to bridge In the context of the transportation industry, technology the gap between technology and business objectives has plays a multifaceted role. Firstly, it enhances efficiency by been pivotal in driving organizational success. reducing the time required for tasks such as roadside inspections. By leveraging technology, organizations can Throughout his journey, Pavan has remained committed to streamline processes, such as inspections, thereby continuous improvement and excellence. His unique blend minimizing downtime for drivers and carriers and of technical expertise, business acumen, and passion for optimizing the movement of goods. innovation sets him apart as a true leader in the field of technology. Secondly, technology contributes to safety by enabling better enforcement of regulations. With advanced As Pavan continues to explore the ever-changing technology tools, enforcement officers can more effectively background of technology and drive transformative change identify and address violations, such as driving under the influence or operating vehicles with unsafe loads. This within a federal agency, his resolute dedication to

proactive approach to safety helps prevent accidents and Eventually, Pavan advocates for a thoughtful and balanced promotes compliance with regulatory standards. approach to technology adoption, where organizations weigh the potential benefits of new technologies against Lastly, technology enhances the user experience for those their organizational goals and values. By doing so, working in transportation safety enforcement. By providing organizations can harness the power of AI and other intuitive and reliable tools, technology makes the job more cutting-edge technologies while mitigating potential risks enjoyable and efficient for personnel, ensuring they have and ensuring responsible use. access to the information they need to perform their duties Safety as a Paramount Focus effectively. Pavan underscores the transformative impact of technology Pavan underscores the pivotal role of technology in in promoting safety and efficiency within the transportation achieving the strategic objectives outlined in the industry. By embracing technological advancements, Department of Transportation's plan, particularly in the organizations can drive positive change and achieve their realm of truck transportation. Safety stands as a paramount objectives while prioritizing safety and regulatory focus, with technology aimed at reducing inefficiencies for compliance. law enforcement partners, thereby promoting safer operations. This includes initiatives to streamline inspections, expedite processes, and implement modern Rising Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Professional Endeavors inspection methods in collaboration with state partners. Pavan highlights the increasing prominence of artificial Efforts to enhance efficiency extend to simplifying intelligence (AI) in our daily lives and its anticipated procedures for obtaining DOT registrations and operating impact on our professional endeavors. While AI presents authorities, ensuring a smoother experience for businesses numerous opportunities for innovation and advancement, and drivers. By providing efficient digital tools, Pavan aims there is also a consensus across industries about the to foster an environment that encourages participation in the importance of ensuring that AI is used responsibly and trucking industry, rather than frustrating stakeholders and driving them away. ethically. Regulatory frameworks, particularly around privacy laws Pavan emphasizes the approach of operating his team like a and data protection, play a crucial role in guiding the ethical tech startup, despite being backed by the federal deployment of AI technologies. These regulations help government, to deliver IT modernization initiatives delineate permissible uses of AI, especially concerning effectively. This blend of innovation and governmental sensitive data such as personally identifiable information support underscores his commitment to leveraging (PII) and medical records. technology to drive progress and efficiency in the transportation sector. Nevertheless, Pavan emphasizes that regulatory compliance should not stifle innovation but rather encourage Vision for Technology Solutions responsible innovation. He cites Steve Jobs' famous quote about the secret to innovation being the ability to say no to On FMCSA’s collaboration with private sector, Pavan countless ideas, highlighting the importance of focusing on shares the importance of avoiding siloed approaches when fundamental problems and organizational values rather than developing technology solutions. Instead, he advocates for chasing every technological trend. a methodical process that ensures alignment with organizational goals and user needs. This involves For Pavan, the key to balancing innovation and regulation conducting thorough evaluations to determine whether the lies in maintaining a clear focus on organizational goals and technology being developed is truly fit for purpose and fit outcomes. Rather than adopting cutting-edge technologies for use. Pavan underscores the significance of collaboration simply for the sake of it, organizations should carefully with industry stakeholders, including the motor carrier and evaluate whether these technologies align with their law enforcement communities, to gather insights into their mission and objectives. By prioritizing outcome-driven pain points and challenges. innovation, organizations can ensure that they derive meaningful benefits from adopting new technologies while At every organization he worked, Pavan strived to instill remaining compliant with regulatory requirements. collaboration as a core value, alongside integrity, innovation, and excellence, for his team and the entire

organization. Pavan and his team engage in regular listening sessions, workshops, and field visits to understand the real- world processes and needs of their users. For instance, they recently launched a new roadside inspection platform, with input gathered directly from law enforcement officers across all 50 states. By observing their workflows and asking pertinent questions, Pavan ensures that the technology they develop addresses genuine pain points, Pavan has worked to create a thereby increasing its likelihood of adoption and success. This collaborative and user-centric approach ensures that culture of innova?on by the technology solutions they build are both necessary and providing a clear vision, usable, ultimately driving mission success at FMCSA. communica?ng effec?vely, and Creating a Safer Transportation Environment Through delivering on promises. Data At FMCSA, Pavan explains that data serves two crucial purposes. First, it enables day-to-day operations by providing essential information for ensuring efficiency and safety. For example, roadside safety officers rely on data to verify drivers' credentials, such as valid licenses and recent medical exams, and to check compliance with drug and alcohol regulations. This data is recorded during inspections and made available for future reference to ensure accountability and encourage compliance. Pavan emphasizes the ongoing evolution within the Secondly, data is utilized for organizational purposes, trucking and transportation industry, highlighting several particularly in preventing wrongful reincorporation of factors that are shaping its future. One significant influence trucking companies with a history of violations. By is the demand for faster delivery times driven by changing leveraging data, FMCSA can identify and vet bad actors consumer expectations. Previously, customers were content seeking to operate under new names, thereby minimizing with receiving orders within a week or even longer, but now safety risks associated with their operations. there is a growing expectation for same-day or next-day Moreover, FMCSA's research organization harnesses data delivery. This shift in consumer behavior is pushing the to conduct in-depth analyses of crash incidents and their industry to adapt and innovate to meet these demands. underlying causes. Recently approved for a large-scale crash causal study, FMCSA aims to collaborate with states Pavan discusses various technological advancements that to gather extensive crash data and develop models to are driving change in the trucking industry. Electric identify factors contributing to crashes. By understanding vehicles, artificial intelligence, and self-driving trucks are these factors, FMCSA can inform regulatory decisions and all emerging technologies that have the potential to initiatives aimed at enhancing safety and reducing fatalities transform transportation. While widespread adoption of on the road. these technologies may still be several years away, their development and implementation are already underway. Data plays a pivotal role in FMCSA's operations, from facilitating day-to-day decision-making to informing long- Also, advancements in fleet management, geofencing, and term regulatory strategies. By leveraging data analytics, data analytics are contributing to increased efficiency and FMCSA seeks to improve safety standards, address safety within the industry. Companies are leveraging data- emerging challenges such as autonomous vehicles, and driven insights to optimize logistics operations and make learn from past mistakes to create a safer transportation more informed decisions. He acknowledges the importance environment for all. of the trucking industry to the economy, describing it as the backbone of America's economy due to its crucial role in Data-Driven Efficiency and Safety in Trucking transporting goods across the nation. As the industry Operations continues to evolve, factors such as powertrains, telematics,

them with ethical excellence., , , , and people development. Foundational technology involves transitioning from a reactive IT organization to a proactive one, while customer experience technology aims to create the best possible experience for users. The third goal The true test of compliance is focuses on understanding and developing the talent pool Pavan aims to foster an within the organization, encouraging a culture where failure not just meeting regulatory environment that is seen as an opportunity for learning and growth. encourages requirements but exceeding Throughout his tenure, Pavan has worked to create a culture par?cipa?on in the of innovation by providing a clear vision, communicating effectively, and delivering on promises. By aligning the trucking industry, rather organization's goals with individual needs and driving than frustra?ng transformative change, he has successfully transformed FMCSA's technology division into a fast-paced, outcome- stakeholders and driven, and customer-focused entity within the federal driving them away. government space. Encouragement to Aspiring Leaders safety features, and driver comfort will become increasingly While advising emerging aspirants, Pavan reflects on the important considerations. importance of understanding the needs, evaluating approaches, and communicating effectively with Pavan envisions a future for truck transportation that is stakeholders to achieve success. He emphasizes the value of influenced by a combination of technological passion and commitment in delivering on promises, which advancements, consumer expectations, and industry trends. ultimately leads to recognition and opportunities. Pavan By staying abreast of these developments and embracing also highlights the importance of maintaining balance, innovation, the industry can adapt to meet the changing whether in short sprints or long-haul efforts, to sustain needs of society while ensuring safety, efficiency, and success in the long run. sustainability. Transitioning from the fast-paced private industry to the Transforming FMCSA perceived "boring" field of public service, Pavan shares his realization that government roles offer unique challenges Pavan describes his approach to fostering a culture of and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Despite innovation at FMCSA, focusing on transforming the limited resources and various perceptions, he believes that organization's technology division into a trusted and public service roles provide valuable learning experiences competent entity that adds value to the agency's mission. and opportunities to contribute to the greater good. Pavan When he joined FMCSA, the technology organization was encourages others to consider working in public service perceived negatively, lacking credibility and competency. roles, leveraging their expertise to support and improve the Pavan saw this as an opportunity to change the perception public sector. He acknowledges that while public service and elevate the technology division to the level of a mature may not always be as financially rewarding as the private IT organization. sector, the opportunity to make a meaningful impact outweighs monetary considerations. To achieve this vision, Pavan emphasizes the importance of building trust and credibility with partners by delivering innovative technology that adds business value to the agency at a speed to market fashion. He believes in conveying the vision clearly and communicating the benefits of cultural change to everyone within the organization, from junior developers to senior leaders. Pavan established three main goals for the technology team: foundational technology, customer experience technology,

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Lessons in Resilience: How 5 Tech Founders Bounced Back from Failure he path to success in the tech industry is rarely a straight T line. Many of today's most celebrated entrepreneurs have faced significant setbacks before achieving their breakthroughs. This blog explores the stories of five tech founders who bounced back from failure, offering valuable lessons in resilience for aspiring entrepreneurs. Steve Jobs - Apple Perhaps the most famous comeback story in tech, Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple, the company he co- founded, in 1985. During his time away, Jobs founded NeXT Computer and acquired Pixar. These experiences broadened his skills and perspective. When he returned to Apple in 1997, he brought fresh ideas that transformed the company into the tech giant we know today. Lesson: Setbacks can be opportunities for growth and diversification. Use your time away from a project to gain new skills and perspectives that can fuel your future success. Evan Williams - Twitter Before Twitter, Evan Williams co- founded Odeo, a podcasting platform. 22 23 www.ciolook.com www.ciolook.com | AUGUST 2024 | | AUGUST 2024 |

When Apple launched iTunes Kathryn Minshew - The Muse Conclusion podcasting, Odeo became obsolete almost overnight. Instead of giving up, Kathryn Minshew's first startup, PYP The journeys of these five tech Williams encouraged his team to Media, collapsed due to disagreements founders demonstrate that failure is not brainstorm new ideas, leading to the among the founders. Undeterred, she the end of the road, but often a creation of Twitter. He later stepped used this experience to inform her stepping stone to success. Their stories down as CEO of Twitter to focus on approach when co-founding The Muse, of resilience offer valuable lessons for Medium, demonstrating his ability to a career development platform. She anyone facing setbacks in their focused on clear communication and entrepreneurial journey. Remember, it's continually innovate and adapt. alignment with her co-founders from not about avoiding failure altogether, Lesson: Be flexible and open to the start. but about how you respond to it and pivoting. Sometimes, the failure of one grow from it. As Reid Hoffman aptly idea can lead to the birth of an even Lesson: Building a strong foundation put it, "The fastest way to change better one. with co-founders is crucial. Clear yourself is to hang out with people communication and a shared vision can who are already the way you want to Arianna Huffington - The Huffington help prevent internal conflicts that can be." Surround yourself with resilient, Post derail a startup. forward-thinking individuals, and you'll be better equipped to bounce Arianna Huffington's second book was Common Threads of Resilience back from any failure that comes your rejected by 36 publishers. Despite this way. setback, she persevered and eventually While each of these founders faced unique challenges, several common became a successful author. She later co-founded The Huffington Post, themes emerged from their stories: which became one of the most popular news websites. After burning out from 1. Persistence: None of these entrepreneurs gave up after their overwork, she founded Thrive Global, initial failures. They viewed focusing on well-being and setbacks as temporary and kept productivity. pushing forward. Lesson: Don't let rejection define you. 2. Adaptability: They were willing to Use it as motivation to refine your change course when necessary, ideas and explore new avenues for whether through pivoting their success. Also, pay attention to your business model or starting entirely personal well-being as you pursue your new ventures. goals. 3. Learning from failure: Each founder took valuable lessons Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn from their setbacks and applied them to future endeavors. Before LinkedIn, Reid Hoffman 4. Embracing change: Rather than founded SocialNet, one of the first resisting change, these entrepreneurs embraced it as an social networking sites. The company struggled and eventually shut down. opportunity for growth and innovation. Hoffman learned valuable lessons from this experience, which he applied to his 5. Self-reflection: Many of these role as a founding board member at founders took time to reflect on PayPal and later as the co-founder of their experiences and personal LinkedIn. growth, leading to more sustainable success in the long Lesson: Early failures can provide run. crucial insights for future ventures. Analyze what went wrong, and use those lessons to inform your next project. 24 www.ciolook.com | AUGUST 2024 |

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Pivot or Persevere? Tech Leaders 4 Share their De?ning Moments eaders often face critical moments that can define the L trajectory of their companies. The choice between pivoting, changing direction in response to new information or circumstances, and persevering, sticking to the original plan despite challenges, can be daunting. This blog explores insights from four tech leaders who have navigated these pivotal moments, shedding light on their experiences and the lessons learned. Understanding the Pivot and Persevere Dilemma: The decision to pivot or persevere is not merely a strategic choice; it reflects the adaptability and resilience of a leader and their team. According to Eric Ries, author of "The Lean Startup," the fundamental activity of a startup is to transform ideas into products, measure customer responses, and learn from those interactions to determine the next steps. This iterative process is crucial for startups aiming to find product-market fit. Statistics show that about 70% of startups fail, often due to a lack of 30 31 www.ciolook.com www.ciolook.com | AUGUST 2024 | | AUGUST 2024 |

market need for their product. This pivot Medium, the blogging platform decision to pivot Slack's focus to statistic underscores the importance of he founded, away from an ad-based enterprise customers, offering a more regularly assessing whether to pivot or business model. He recognized that the robust set of features and integrations. persevere based on customer feedback ad-based model was not sustainable and market conditions. For instance, a and that Medium needed to find a new The pivot paid off, with Slack tech startup might notice a decline in way to generate revenue. becoming one of the fastest-growing workplace communication tools in user engagement, prompting a reassessment of their product's "Pivoting is not a sign of failure," history. In 2019, Slack went public in a Williams said. "It's a sign that you're direct listing that valued the company alignment with market demands. willing to adapt to changing at over $23 billion. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft circumstances and find a better path Success consists of forward." "Pivoting is not about abandoning your When Satya Nadella took over as CEO original vision," Butterfield said. "It's going from failure of Microsoft in 2014, the company was Katrina Lake, Founder and Former about finding a better way to achieve at a crossroads. The once-dominant CEO of Stitch Fix that vision in a changing market." to failure without tech giant was struggling to keep up with the shift to mobile and cloud When Katrina Lake founded Stitch Fix These four tech leaders have one thing loss of enthusiasm. in 2011, she had a vision of creating a in common: they recognized the computing. Nadella recognized that Microsoft needed to adapt or risk personalized styling service that would importance of being willing to pivot in becoming irrelevant. revolutionize the way people shop for the face of changing circumstances. By - Winston Churchill clothes. However, in the early days of adapting their strategies and finding He made the bold decision to pivot the the company, she faced significant new paths forward, they were able to company's focus to cloud computing challenges in scaling the business and achieve success and drive innovation and mobile productivity. Under his attracting investors. in their respective industries. leadership, Microsoft launched Azure, its cloud computing platform, and Lake made the decision to pivot Stitch Fix's business model, focusing on data- embraced a mobile-first, cloud-first strategy. The pivot paid off, with driven personalization and a Microsoft's cloud business now subscription-based service. The pivot generating over $50 billion in annual proved to be a success, with Stitch Fix revenue. growing to become a publicly traded "Our industry does not respect tradition company valued at over $2 billion. — it only respects innovation," Nadella said. "The tech intensity of "Pivoting is not about abandoning your every business will be defined by the vision," Lake said. "It's about finding a choices they make in the next decade." better way to achieve that vision in the face of changing circumstances." Evan Williams, Co-founder of Twitter and Medium Stewart Butterfield, Co-founder of Slack Evan Williams is no stranger to pivoting. As the co-founder of Odeo, Stewart Butterfield is no stranger to he pivoted the company to focus on a pivoting. As the co-founder of Flickr, side project called Twttr (later renamed he pivoted the company from a failed Twitter) when it became clear that online game to a photo-sharing Odeo's business model was not viable. platform. Years later, he faced another The decision to pivot proved to be a pivotal moment when he co-founded game-changer, with Twitter becoming Slack, a workplace communication one of the most influential social media tool. platforms in the world. In the early days of Slack, Butterfield and his team faced significant Years later, Williams faced another challenges in gaining traction and attracting users. They made the pivotal moment when he decided to 32 www.ciolook.com | AUGUST 2024 |

he consultancy sector is at a crossroads in a dynamic world T where technology is transforming sectors and enterprises. According to recent data, more than 80% of consultancies are still hesitant to accept new technologies. They continue to use unreliable tools, with just 17% incorporating a Professional Services Embracing PSA Automation (PSA) system into their operations. The main concern is whether this reluctance to accept new technology would eventually leave these consultants lagging behind their Technology: more technologically competent competitors. Consultancies: The Reluctance to The Key to Consultancy Embrace Technology The consultancy industry has long been regarded as a sector built on Growth and Pro?tability expertise, relationships, and tradition. However, as the global business landscape continues to shift at an unprecedented pace, consultancies are under increasing pressure to adapt and innovate. This is where technology adoption comes into play. CMap's study, conducted in partnership with Consultancy BenchPress, sheds light on the current state of the consultancy sector. It was discovered that the great majority of consultancies are still using antiquated methodolo- gies, such as spreadsheets or a group of isolated technologies. In comparison, just 17% have taken the plunge and implemented a PSA system to successfully manage company operations. The Power of Professional Services Automation The discrepancy between PSA adopters and non-adopters is accentuated by the former's significant growth and operational benefits. Consultancies that have used PSA software claim higher utilisation rates, improved visibility into profit margins, and more revenue 34 35 www.ciolook.com www.ciolook.com | AUGUST 2024 | | AUGUST 2024 |

per partner. In fact, PSA adopters have The present state of things is succinctly administrative responsibilities, and a achieved a 7% greater utilisation rate summarised by Jon Stead, Chief more productive workforce overall. than their peers, who continue to rely Strategy Officer of Cmap: mainly on spreadsheets. In conclusion, CMap's study "Consultancies are rapidly realising emphasises the critical importance of The essential message here is that it's time to delete the typical spread- technology adoption in the future of technology adoption may have a major sheets and start integrating key project the consultant business. While more influence on the bottom line of a firm. and resource management workflows than 80% of consultancies continue to Consultancies may harness their most in a Professional Services Automation use antiquated technologies, the powerful profit drivers by optimising (PSA) system." He goes on to say that benefits of using PSA technology are utilisation. PSA adopters routinely optimising utilisation is the single most too great to ignore. outperform those caught in the important profit driver in the inefficiencies of other technologies and consulting industry. “With a 7% As the PSA market prepares to more solutions, according to the research. greater utilisation rate for PSA than quadruple in the next three years, consumers compared to spreadsheet- consultancies who incorporate these The PSA Market's Steady Ascent bound rivals, it's no surprise that PSA technologies proactively will position adoption is expected to quadruple in themselves for growth, efficiency, and According to the research, a third of the next three years.” a competitive advantage in a trans- non-PSA users are likely to accept PSA forming business landscape. The system during the next three years. Consultancies must adapt to succeed in message is clear: consultancies must This move can be linked to the PSA a world that always demands greater embrace the future of technology in market's expected tripling during the efficiency, transparency, and agility. order to ensure their place in the same time range. The reasoning for this PSA tools provide unrivalled insight consulting business of the future. change is obvious. Recent automation into the financial health of consulting users identify the inefficiency of their assignments. With real-time data, consultants can make educated old tools as the key reason for switching. judgements, spot possible difficulties early, maintain healthy profit margins, Embracing Technology for Growth and streamline complicated project and and Efficiency resource management workflows. This leads to increased efficiency, decreased The findings not only show the consultant sector's reliance on old methods but also demonstrate the extraordinary potential for growth and efficiency advantages that await those ready to embrace new technologies. As the market for PSA systems grows, consultants must evaluate the benefits these may provide to their operations. 36 www.ciolook.com | AUGUST 2024 |

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The 10 Most Influential Leaders in Tech to Follow, 2024

The 10 Most Influential Leaders in Tech to Follow, 2024

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