New year, same conversation. Generative AI has been on the scene for over a year, and now you can't go an hour without a new AI announcement. Although AI is not new, the introduction of generative AI has given rise to the art of probability. He made what seemed impossible within reach. Suddenly, content at scale and personalization are possible, or so it seems.
Any business can implement the technology. But the most successful organizations are aligning their technology to drive a unified business strategy to meet today's needs and provide flexibility for tomorrow. Their teams are willing to bring flexibility to their operations if necessary. These organizations sit at the intersection of digital and business maturity, leveraging meaningful opportunities to deliver broad, market-ready offerings. They use technology to achieve seamless customer experience and operational efficiency.
So how can all organizations emulate this future-ready technology ecosystem?
Four levels of maturity
- Functional IT
At Level 1, you can master the core data, platforms, and capabilities that support your business. Most companies operate at this level, because it refers to the software infrastructure itself. Getting this foundation right is difficult but essential for a future-ready organization.
- Agile delivery
At maturity level 2, technology teams have mastered the process of delivering effective changes and updates and implementing new capabilities without errors. Getting here is successful, but staying here is risky. If your transformation ends here, you risk capabilities not being business driven, and your organization becoming an IT delivery farm.
- Adaptive ecosystem
The third level of maturity operates at the enterprise level. Think of this level as an enterprise architecture capable of delivering services across the ecosystem regardless of channel, team, or origin (internal or external). Moving from Level 2 to this stage is arguably the most difficult part of the maturity process, but organizations that achieve this are well positioned for the future.
- Future-ready technology
The fourth level is technology business. This means that technology and the teams that support it become strategic to the business, as technology drives growth and development. Organizations operating here have the mechanisms, processes, culture and infrastructure needed to increase revenues, adapt to innovation and operate ahead of the business curve.
Examples in the market
This all sounds good in theory, but rest assured, this is not just a concept. Companies frequently embody this maturity.
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Instacart – This organization has single-handedly created a new operating system for a very complex industry. Grocery has been the category to avoid in e-commerce due to the sheer complexity involved. However, Instacart has made it widely available and turned a winning consumer proposition into a growing business as a grocery operating system through its platform. The Instacart product serves consumers, shoppers, retailers and brand partners, delivering each experience through a solution powered by a common foundation of technology, infrastructure, data insights and fulfillment, truly demonstrating the power of technology maturity driving business results.
Microsoft -Microsoft has transformed from a hardware-focused company into a cloud computing powerhouse, adopting a consumer-centric approach and completely transforming its culture and business while continuing to meet consumer needs by allowing its software to be distributed across operating systems. Their development has allowed them to become leaders in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years, making them a leading distributor of exciting new technologies through the Azure cloud platform, which is currently experiencing rapid growth. By embracing cultural, business and technological transformation, they outline how transforming to be future-ready is paying off in this time of accelerated innovation.
To build future-readiness, your organization needs to foster a culture of experimentation and innovation. Leading brands are not afraid to test new ideas, learn from failures and iterate quickly using technology to experiment and improve their marketing performance. The first steps here include using the above maturity framework to understand where your organization currently stands. Once established, organizations can begin to review their technology release cycles to include business stakeholders, prioritize user stories to account for business outcomes and provide a common framework and language for both technology and business teams to talk to. Breaking down traditional silos in mature organizations is difficult, but it starts with guidance from the top. When everyone understands business outcomes and goals, all teams have skin in the game and work to drive the vision forward with what they have.
The future is here. Preparing for the future is not just a concept; It's a culture that offers the opportunity to spark change, disrupt the market, and master the business of technology.
