Digital Transformation as Disruptive Strategy: Using data and disruptive technology to unlock growth, build resilience, and create shareholder value

The past twenty-four months have seen a heightened interest in digital transformation. The shutdown of physical operations has forced several companies to adopt digital technologies necessary to keep their employees working from home and seamlessly connecting with their customers, clients, and stakeholders who prefer interactions through digital channels. Business leaders have realized their organizations need to be digitally savvy as their markets, customers, and workers have adopted digital transformation. As a result, many firms are embarking on digitalization for the future-proofing of their businesses.1 It is business as usual for firms way ahead in adopting digital transformation, while it is a rude awakening for uninitiated businesses. Such businesses realize the need to adapt quickly to cope with an ever-changing pandemic environment. Effective digital transformation, which delivers agility, adaptability, and customer-centricity, is now a managerial mantra and leadership inspiration.2 According to a recent consulting report, it is not surprising that 80% of companies are set to accelerate their digital transformation efforts in the coming months and days.3 Commenting on this pace of adoption, the Chief Executive Officer of IBM, Arvind Krishna, said, “Every company will become an AI company.