Each year, I help kick-off Brand Innovators Mega-Trends event during CES. In the opening keynote, I share the trends (and hopes) I would love brand executives to embrace in the new year. In 2020, the presentation focused on “11 Digital Trends Shaping CX and Marketing.” There are certainly more than 11 trends to follow, but in the context of this conversation, I focused on the convergence of AI, customer empathy, digital distractions and intentions, and the technology that connects the…
Align Digital Transformation with Business Modernization to Compete for the Future
Digital transformation is more important now than ever, but some organizations are more difficult to change than others. I love it whenI get to join Karen Roby on her TechRepublic show. Each time, we discuss leading business technology news and trends and I honestly geek out each time. In our latest episode, we explore the hurdles facing organizations and how to overcome them as they go through digital transformation. We also explore some highlights from the Salesforce Dreamforce 2019 event….
The Digital Change Agentâs Manifesto; Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders from Within
In a world where digital technology is evolving faster than organizations can adapt, itâs no secret that companies are investing in digital transformation and corporate innovation. But who is leading the charge? Often, itâs the individuals who share a deep expertise and passion for digital. And while these âdigital change agentsâ are striving to bring change from within their respective group in the organization, they arenât necessarily seasoned or trained at navigating the cultural dynamics that drive change throughout an…
Personal Innovation During Times of Digital Disruption
Note: For mobile users, please subscribe to my new feed here and unsubscribe from the old Feedburner feed. Ever have one of those conversations with someone you care about where you’re left feeling inspired and motivated? They’re rare occurrences in my life. I can count on one hand how many people I’m lucky to know who leave me feeling this way. One recent conversation was with Jim Marous, Publisher at The Financial Brand. If you’d like to listen to that conversation,…
Digital Transformation: Executives Need a Sense of Urgency to Compete Against Digital Natives
Note: Please subscribe to my new feed here and unsubscribe from the old feed. Digital transformation is one of those trends that everyone is talking about, but few can pinpoint exactly what it means and why it’s business critical. Yet, it’s the very catalyst that puts companies on a path to business modernization. Companies need a sense of urgency. This is the conversation I had with TechRepublic’s Karen Roby. We discussed the changes shaping digital transformation, including operational models and the…
How I Help Business Audiences Embrace Innovation, Disruption and Change to Lead the Way Forward
We live in an era of #DigitalDarwinism. These are disruptive times and they challenge everyoneâŠleaders and executives…employees, customers, and partnersâŠand, you and me. AI, Crypto, Quantum Computing, Blockchain, AR/VR, facial recognition, wearables, IoT/IIoT, 5G, automation and 20 other disruptive technologies will only continue to change everything as we know it. Digital transformation, innovation, and new leadership are needed to survive and thrive. The future either happens to us or because of us. I’ve spent my entire career as a digital…
Marriott International Prioritizes Innovation in Guest Experience to Cultivate Brand Loyalty and Drive Growth
Thereâs an old adage in business: A happy customer is a loyal customer. Focus on driving loyalty, and you cultivate a customer relationship that is not only special, but also incredibly rewarding for the business over a longer period of time. By putting loyalty at the center of everything, loyal customers become proud stewards of the brand, advocating their experiences and going out of their way to spend more time and money with the brand. In any given category, their…
Riding the Next Wave of Digitally Driven Innovation
The cloud is a key enabler of business transformation. IT leaders, business executives and digital transformation architects are migrating to the cloud to modernize operations enterprise-wide. I was invited by IDG/CIO and Microsoft Azure to share my views on cloud-driven digital transformation across private and public-sector institutions. Some of the topics we discussed include: Big data/analytics â how companies can turn data into insights and revenue growth using the cloud, analytics and other tools Workplace transformation â how technology is…
Legacy Models Shackle Digital Transformation and Strangle Innovation
Digital transformation has certainly achieved buzzword status. Yet, by its very nature, digital transformation can be among the most important catalysts for business modernization and innovation. The difference between where we are and where we need to be is separated by purpose and vision. If we can see and work beyond the “digital” in digital transformation, we can model the business of the future today. That’s the hard part. In the early phases of “The Six Stages of Digital Transformation,”…
11 Trends To Help Brands Compete Against Digital Darwinism
My friend Alison DeNisco Rayome is Senior Editor at TechRepublic. We recently talked about how progressive retailers are leading digital transformation. I wanted to share our conversation with you here as I feel the ideas (and links) can help any organization thrive in an era of digital Darwinism! TechRepublic: Generally speaking, where would you say most companies stand in terms of digital transformation efforts right now? Brian Solis: Iâm recently published the 2018-2019 State of Digital Transformationand its surprising how…
