E D I T O R ' S Q U E S T I O N
There have been several regional disruptive technologies witnessed but now – perhaps more than ever . Disruptive technology is a real and vital necessity for businesses as well as people . The enterprise IT market is now focusing on a digital economy to enable businesses to survive and thrive in the long run .
They invest in innovation and compete heavily with their robust digital capabilities to become industry leaders and contribute to a larger vision of their country .
Much before the pandemic , IT companies realised that current levels of digital offerings were inadequate and that there was an imminent necessity to integrate into a larger vision . Being traditional or classic is not an option for businesses anymore .
With over 20 years ’ experience , I ’ ve interacted with numerous CIOs and while first impressions do matter , there are only a few who have left a lasting impact through their unparalleled vision and undeniable competencies . I ’ ve been part of an era where the roles and competencies of CIOs have changed drastically – from being a conventional CIO as the guardian of information technology / legacy systems . The CIO now is a strategic business advisor responsible for Digital Transformation , digital customer experiences , business advancements and more .
Therefore , some competencies for CIOs to imbibe are agility and adaptability , a wider outlook and communication and collaboration .
Last but not the least , we are people working with other people , exchanging ideas and varied opinions . Digital disruptors typically exist outside of the enterprise ’ s normal range of vision and network , and it is vital to explore the unexplored to define oneself as a disruptor .
And with an entire generation born-on-the-web , it is not surprising that 79 % of Saudi Arabia ' s entire population uses a smartphone and in UAE the corresponding figure was a whopping 91 %, an uptick of nearly 20 % in a single year . In Kuwait , smartphone penetration rose from 49 % to 86 % in a period of two years , according to eMarketer .
CIOs who realise this ahead of time and recalibrate their strategies will carve a niche for themselves versus those who are still catching up with primitive digitalisation requirements .
Therefore , the focus and reliance should evidently shift to the younger population who are the creators of disruptive ideas . Being born into a world of vast technological advances and innovations , smartphones and instant accessibility to information , their concepts and ideas are changing the game and are set to shake the next normal . �
NASRI NASSEREDDINE
REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR , SOFTWARE AG
GULF AND LEVANT
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