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Of course, the day-to-day work of an astronaut cannot be compared with that of a CIO. However, both share a common perspective. The astronaut in space can view the earth from above from a unique perspective, a CIO has an equally unique perspective on the company and can view it holistically. So what is this unique perspective for the CIO and how can they use the characteristics of the astronaut to develop the corporate strategy?
What many astronauts have in common is their impression of Earth, this planet that looks so small and so lonely in the universe when viewed from above. So said Sigmund Jähn (a cosmonaut, to be precise) to the author Maja Nielsen:
"Even before my flight, I knew that our planet is small and vulnerable. But when I saw it in its unspeakable beauty and delicacy from space, I realized that the most important task of humans is to protect and preserve it for future generations."
A quote that could have come from space travelers like Alexander Gerst or James Irwin. Only in space, in a small space shuttle, do they see the world from a perspective that allows them to recognize connections. Seeing the planet as a whole is the perspective of an astronaut.
A forest fire, for example, may only look very small locally from down here and people in distant regions or other countries may not even notice it. The astronaut from above sees how big the fire really is and how quickly it spreads, spreading to other areas and having a huge impact on a large number of people over time. Even when storms such as thunderstorms, hurricanes or sandstorms are brewing, you can see their full size from space, where they develop and which areas are affected and at risk.
The astronaut's perspective gives him an overhead view of the Earth's problems and their effects. He can see things that other people can never see from their own perspective. This makes the astronaut a visionary and a role model for many people.
company and steer the company's (digital) strategy. Their experience as heads of IT organizations gives them many advantages:
You know the market speed
You have experience of how agility can counter change in the market
They often have management experience and increasingly enjoy the trust of CEOs
As early as 2019, more than 50% of CIOs (source: Gartner) stated that they help steer the strategic destiny of the company. They are also the bridge to many departments, as a company's technology permeates all areas. Every employee has contact with IT in the company. This means that the responsibility for internal productivity also lies with the CIO.
The balancing act between external and internal factors is challenging because it requires an examination of the way in which the people in the company create value.
Just as the view of the earth from the space station makes it clear that the earth is a fragile construct, the situation in the company is also fragile. The pressure to innovate due to digitalization comes from outside and companies need to develop quickly so that they are not left behind by competitors. At the same time, it is difficult to implement this change with the existing team in the company. Start-ups (which are then bought by larger companies and bring them speed) tend to have the advantage of moving quickly. We know that simply mentioning buzzwords such as agility or AI does not help here.
What must a CIO do now to resolve this conflict and improve the fragile situation?
Customers have always expected products to bring them benefits and thus generate value. It is now clear that this can only be achieved if these products adapt to changes in their users. Continuous further development has become the norm. On the supply side, this means that products can only be successfully delivered to customers if
the products are continuously maintained,
the customer is closely involved in the development,
and the operations team "owned" the product properly.
CIOs with a technical background are often already familiar with it beyond the buzzword. Agility and entrepreneurial thinking have a long history in software development and are increasingly spilling over into the entire company. Although essential ideas are often lost in the process, the basic idea is carried on and adapted.
A culture that values experimentation and focus is certainly more helpful for companies in the digitalization process than one that relies on stability and continuity.
The whole thing is happening in an environment in which people demand and need greater flexibility, because work is no longer everything. This means that the company, under the leadership and with the experience of the CIOs and their perspective, can bring agile ideas into the company and also become a role model for how other areas should act and operate.
Technology companies have technology as a core competence and this core competence must also continue to develop. Even if we don't yet win a golden coffee cup with AI and a lot of blockchain, it is right to take care of these technologies, because anything that promotes digital change or promises productivity increases of 10x or more will help.
Companies must increasingly become an experimental kit in order to master the mass of new technologies. This does not mean that you have to try everything. On the contrary, the decisive factor will be how good you are at sorting things out and which technologies you master so that they ultimately offer the customer added value.
CIOs who have an overview of technical skills and select technologies that are made for the digital world will make a positive impression.
So where is the journey taking companies? How can the CIO play an active role in shaping this journey and what is the next anchor point? Only time will tell. What is clear is that the journey does not have a single destination, but that it will probably never end. It will be important that we as CIOs shape it in such a way that this journey can be successfully continued for as long as possible.
Use the knowledge from space travel for your business. OHB Digital Services GmbH has been a reliable partner for secure & innovative IT solutions for many years. We are part of one of the most successful space and technology companies in Europe. With our products and services, we support you in the digitalization of your business processes along the value chain and in all security-related issues. Please feel free to contact us.
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