https://youtu.be/gik1jaCLXAk
“The companies of yesterday were built to last; today’s companies must be built to evolve,” said Miguel Rossi, MBA—Chief Technology Officer at Farmashop and instructor of the Strategic Simulation course in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs at the School of Management and Social Sciences at Universidad ORT Uruguayduring the conference “Leadership in Technology.”
The event, organized by ORT’s Graduate School of Business, took place on Thursday, July 21, in a hybrid format: some participants attended in person, while others joined online via HyFlex®.
During the conference, which was part of the Management and Business Lecture Series, Rossi discussed the impact of technology as a key driver of innovation in business leadership.
The Four Pillars
Technological advancements are transforming the way companies operate. Managing these factors to align them with organizational goals presents a new challenge.
“Business and technology are converging. There is no longer a clear dividing line. The distinctions between the ‘hard’ aspects of technology and the ‘soft’ aspects of business have become increasingly blurred,” said Rossi.
“We need to set priorities and identify where technology will add the most value, ”the expert said, citing four key pillars to consider when adopting technology:
- Generate revenue. Boost sales, increase profit margins, or avoid losses.
- Make work easier. Make life easier for employees.
- Build a brand image. Position the company as an innovator.
- Reduce costs. Cut operating costs or expenses; optimize resources.
Knowing how to communicate, understanding the business, and unlearning
The expert mentioned some skills that are essential in today's organizations:
- A leader must know how to communicate. “He or she may be brilliant, but if they can’t communicate the value they’re creating, that’s not enough.”
- Get to know the people and the roles they play in order to gain their support.
- Understanding the business: from marketing to finance and operations.
- Unlearning. “We must be open to unlearning so that we can learn anew.”
Rossi also emphasized the importance of developing the skills of current staff, as well as partnering with external innovators to accelerate the organization’s growth.
The expert stated that high-performing cultures hire very efficiently, are able to course-correct, and adjust priorities. Furthermore, they invest in and reward continuous learning.
“Today’s companies are constantly changing. There is no fear of reinventing themselves, and technology is at the heart of the organization, acting as a catalyst for this change,” Rossi concluded.