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Digital to the Core: Remastering Leadership for Your Industry, Your Enterprise, and Yourself

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There is no simple strategic method for dealing with the multidimensional nature of digital change. Even the sharpest leaders can become disoriented as change builds on change, leaving almost nothing certain. Yet to stand still is to fail. Enterprises and leaders must re-master themselves to succeed. Leaders must identify the key macro forces, then lead their organizations at three distinct levels: industry, enterprise, and self. By doing this they cannot only survive but clean up. Digital to the Core makes the case that all business leaders must understand the impact the digital revolution will continue to play in their industries, companies, and leadership style and practices. Drawing on interviews with over 30 top C-level executives in some of the world's most powerful companies and government organizations, including GE, Ford, Tory Burch, Babolat, McDonalds, Publicis and UK Government Digital Service, this book delivers practical insights from those on the front lines of major digital upheaval. The authors incorporate Gartner's annual CIO and CEO global survey research and also apply the deep knowledge and qualitative insights they have acquired as practitioners, management researchers, and advisors over decades in the business. Above all else, Raskino and Waller want companies and their top leaders to understand the full impact of digital change and integrate it at the core of their businesses.

234 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2015

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560 people want to read

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Mark Raskino

10 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Lee.
186 reviews18 followers
December 14, 2017
Definitely one of the better digital books I have read. It is very Gartner biased and speaks a lot about GE and their digital journey and how it will place them with a very strong future. Unfortunate timing as GE is currently performing very poorly. But the principles the author is describing are correct.
Profile Image for AN Rao.
2 reviews
September 7, 2017
Digital is a highly used and often misused word and Digital Transformation is understood by many in many different ways. Digital is not just about IT industry. It is impacting lives and businesses across industries and segments and it makes enormous sense to understand what it really means, its impact and the opportunities it creates. This is really a good primer I recommend to a lot of people. Was a great ready and a reread... an absolute must read irrespective of what line and sphere of life you are in. Understanding what Digital means is a key part of being literate and this book does a great job of helping with that journey...
Profile Image for David H Deans.
17 reviews4 followers
December 25, 2020
Now is the time for CEO action on a comprehensive digital transformation agenda that will result in a strategic competitive advantage. Raskino and Waller, two experienced Gartner senior analysts, believe that one of the greatest ongoing challenges that executives will face is convincing their organizations to take a progressive path toward a digital-enabled future.

Every business, no matter how long they’ve been in existence, has the opportunity to digitally remaster their business model -- and their associated products and services. The book is about the process of forward-thinking renewal. The authors provide a pragmatic framework for savvy leaders to remap their industry, remodel their enterprise and also remake themselves.

They describe a ‘Resolution Revolution’ macro force -- it’s the effect of being able to sense what’s happening within your domain, with greater fidelity and detail, then proactively working to understand and harness the key things that are likely to lead to your desired business outcomes.

They support all their research findings with insightful data points. Case in point: a recent Gartner survey found that CEOs expect their revenues attributable to digital products, marketing and sales will double from an average of 21 percent in 2014 to reach 42 percent by 2017.

Each chapter concludes with ‘Actionable Takeaways’ that offer guidance that everyone would surely appreciate. One point from their assessment stands out -- the companies that are typically forcing disruptive change most often do not come from within the affected industry.

Why does this happen? The authors say that all established organizations have a deep-seated bias toward perpetuating a ‘business as usual’ status-quo, and they tend to cling to well-honed best practices. The challenge, therefore, is to bravely move past this cultural impediment.

In summary, the most compelling reason to contemplate their sage advice is captured in the following conclusion -- “Never before have leaders lacking digital savvy run a greater risk of being blindsided by the next technology-enabled tipping point.” Enough said.
Profile Image for Lucie Paris.
751 reviews34 followers
September 19, 2015
Interesting, full of examples and quotes. I was real hooked from the start and impressed by its futuristic views.
You discover past research that have lead to advanced technology and how the digital will bring them to a new life with even better accurate utilities for the customers, the well being of the world even if we are not aware day by day of these new technical influences.

Personally, this book has made me react, think and even imagine possibilities that are more science fiction than reality. However, what about tomorrow?
Through history, we have countless examples of how quickly the world can evolve. I was born before cellphone, CD and computer. And now, it will be unbelievable! Like living in a prehistorical age when in reality it was just yesterday.
With the digital, tomorrow will come fast and dreams will become more and more real.

Imagine your deliveries made by drones, cars that will drive themselves, sensor pills reminding you you haven't swallow your medicine today? Connected hospital helping patient to receive treatment home to avoid people to wait long hours for a simple control visitation?

Full quotations from famous creative CEO, this book try to make you understand why at work, you need to believe in digital before being devoured by market reality and customers needs. Even in politics with Digital DNA and holograms.

Real cool and useful read.

Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
Profile Image for Fred Cheyunski.
350 reviews13 followers
July 17, 2021
Need to Lead in Digital Innovation - Having previously read “Mastering the Hype Cycle” co-authored by Jackie Fenn and Raskino, and then seeing Raskino mentioned in Ross et al’s “Design for Digital” (see my reviews of both books), it seemed that this book might be a good bridge between the respective works.

While both of the Raskino co-authored books are written with Gartner colleagues, “Digital to the Core” does not mention the “Hype Cycle,” yet it seems to situate “digital technology” somewhere between ‘inflated expectations’ and the ‘trough of disillusionment.’ Actually, it is a primer for executives/managers regarding digital implications, what they should be doing to pursue related technological imperatives; in this regard this text written earlier is a good complement to the Ross et al book---the former is more the rationale, significance, and criticality of executive involvement, the latter is provides particulars on digital business design (more like the ‘slope of enlightenment’).

More specifically, this book has 10 Chapters in three major parts: (1) Go Digital of Go Home, Part I: Remap Your Industry, (2) Every Product Will Be Digitally Remastered, (3) Catch the Triple Tipping Point, (4) Whose Industry is it Anyway? Part II: Remodel Your Enterprise, (5) Digital Leadership is a Team Sport, (6) Upgrade to Digital Savvy C-Suite and Board, (7) New Competencies Resolve Blurred Boundaries; Part III: Remake Yourself: (8) Be an Ambassador and an Attractor, (9) Be a Clarifier and an Educator, (10) Be an Attractor and Cartographer. There is also an Appendix on Digital Business Competencies and Cultural Capabilities, as well as Notes, Index and Acknowledgments.

I especially liked the book’s charts and diagrams. For instance, Figures 1.4 and 1.7 Digital to Core Framework and the --same by chapters visually depict the book and the narrative that will follow as well as provide useful takeaways. The framework of the three parts---Remap Industry, Remodel Enterprise, Remake Self---offers a helpful roadmap and led me to wonder about ways this schema might correspond to the three branches of classical learning (see my review of Joseph’s “The Trivium”). Similarly, Table 2.2 – Examples of Resolution Revolution, 2.4 Evolution of the Auto Industry, and Figure 3.1, Three Tipping Points – Culture, Regulation, and Technology provide graphic depiction to go with the increasing digital resolution, compounded uncertainty and boundary blurring that is occurring. The descriptions of digital leadership roles and competencies are also beneficial----these efforts need to led and guided (also see my review of Moore’s “Crossing the Chasm”).

For example, it was interesting to see mention of e-cigarettes/vaping as example of “digital product remastering,” obviously written before of serious respiratory problems among vapers along with controversy over promotion of child-oriented flavors to attract youth market, nicotine withdrawal vs addiction, and so on. Such a case lends credence to the idea that additional considerations such as media or technology effects should also be taken into account (see my review of Strate’s “Media Ecology”) by companies and regulators as such products that may be harmful are pursued.

Since I read an e-book library check-out, I was disappointed that I could not access this volume via my Kindle and had to read it via browser on my laptop. Others that purchase the book direct from Amazon may not have that issue. Yet another example of the complexities involved in our digital marketplace.

In any case, Raskino and Waller proffer a constructive approach to leading “digital innovation” (see Ross et al distinction with "digitization') that can be built upon and utilized as digital deployment proceeds at an increasing rate in a COVID-19 and post pandemic world.
Profile Image for Keith.
16 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2020
I received this book and a few others after attending the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo in 2017. I decided it was time to read those books starting with this one.

This book is first and foremost a leadership book, with a specific focus on leading in a digital era. The book follows the title with three sections: (1) Remap your industry, (2) Remodel your enterprise, and (3) Remake yourself. Each section included 3 chapters.

The book was full of examples, illustrations, and leaders from a wide variety of industries demonstrating what others had done to remap, remodel, and remake within their domain. This book is not a how-to book nor is it a definitive roadmap of what or how to do digital leadership. It is more of a guide on the side and an idea generator to help the reader know and understand what they could and can do. I appreciated the "Actionable Takeaways" at the end of each book.

I was hoping, as someone who has worked in Information Technology in the military for two decades and now in higher education for a decade, that they would have included examples from the latter. I was disappointed that the closest they got was citing some examples from the public sector. As I often do when reading books about digital, IT, and leadership I will have to decide what could be transferrable and work in higher education.

Overall, a solid book, with solid takeaways with plenty of examples to spur imagination.
Profile Image for Noah Oanh.
259 reviews66 followers
May 2, 2021
The book was good especially in first part which helped listing 3 main disruptive digital forces that drive remastery (resolution revolution that could transform your products, compound uncertainty, boundary blurring) and 3 leadership levels of abstraction that could help you to tackle those forces (that included remap your industry, remodel your enterprise and remake yourself). There were a part in the book that is quite interesting about triple tipping point: technology, culture and regulation. To be able to exploit opportunity in the face of uncertainty digital leaders need to know how to exploit opportunity in the face of uncertainty and keep a sharp eye on those 3 key tipping points to avoid premature launch of any digital approaches. And the best leaders work to nudge one or more of the 3 points in their favor. Thinking from outside of the boxes, setting your mind wide open, living and breathing with digital innovations like it is a part of you would be something to keep in your heart to especially while we are going to another uncertain time of the economy. It would take the whole society, companies, and yourself to do it!
Profile Image for Irene Gracesiana.
97 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2017
three primary disruptive forces of the digital era:
a. Resolution Revolution
b. Compound Uncertainty
c. Boundary Blurring

interesting framework, how leader should lead the organization in 3 distinct levels;
(1) Remap your industry;
(2) Remodel your enterprise
(3) Remake yourself.

Authors giving suggestion the allocation roles to transform the business to digital business. Which role from C-suite will be good for leading the whole organization transformation!

And also, what makes me so interest are several real cases, shared by authors:
Babolat - Tennis Racquet Producer; how they make the string has sensor to capture data
Bharatiya Janata Party - India's largest political party, which used holograms
Seoul National university Bundang Hospital - remote monitoring glucometers for diabetes patients.
etc.

for me may be a bit boring, because it could be too theoretical I guess :)

You may find more interesting when you visit the web site : https://www.gartner.com/books/digital..., and work on quiz to test your digital persona!
Profile Image for Senem.
6 reviews
July 7, 2020
I really liked the "actionable takeaways" section that followed each chapter. It is no doubt a summary that every business leader would like to keep handy whenever she or he would like to have a quick refresher of the must do to be a better digital leader. I will definitely use its content in my next upcoming fall term lecture at Istanbul Bilgi University (Creative Entrepreneurship: Leadership and Team-Building)

I also follow Mark Raskino and his Gartner Group webinars. Recommend for anybody who is interesting in revamping themselves and/or their business to digital, to follow Mark Raskino on LinkedIn and Gartner Group
Profile Image for Damira.
16 reviews
August 23, 2017
Too many repetitions, unclear divisions of the chapters of the book. got the main idea that could be delivered in concise form.
18 reviews
March 30, 2018
Interesting reading

Read it because company I work for is going through initial state of adapting digital way. Found some insights helpful for me.
Profile Image for Ryan Purvis.
55 reviews
April 27, 2018
Love this book, firstly because it’s well written and easy to read. There is a lot of valuable information and actionable takeaways. Highly recommended if the Digital agenda is on your radar.
Profile Image for Tom Townsend.
12 reviews
January 5, 2017
A good book, gets you thinking about how your organisation may need to change to survive in today's increasingly digital world and provides a guide on how you can help drive that change. I particularly like the concept of the three tipping points, and looking for the balance between regulation, culture and technology.
Profile Image for Sinan Naqshbandi.
10 reviews17 followers
August 14, 2016
This was my second summer reading book about the digital industrial revolution. This book is no doubt worth every cent I have paid. In my humble opinion, it must be read by business leaders and those who are looking for a successful career in digital industry.

I will not exclude gov and policy makers or economists in both technology savvy and developing countries nor I would exclude young and new starters who must be very aware of the digital Titans out there waiting for the next new venture and business disrupters to be acquired. To those and many many more, I recommend "Digital to the core" as a must read.

I really liked the "actionable takeaways" section that followed each chapter. It is no doubt a summary that every business leader would like to keep handy whenever she or he would like to have a quick refresher of the must do to be a better digital leader hence for that and more I granted cinque stella :)
1 review
January 23, 2016
Leadership is essential to successfully navigating the complex and often confusing changes unleashed by the transition to Digital Business. Digital to the Core offers a clear and compelling analysis of where these changes are emanating from, what’s happening now, and what lays ahead. Raskino & Waller provide a clear, innovative and practical framework supported by in-depth research and compelling examples to help you develop the insight and capabilities necessary to lead in a new era of daunting threats but exponential opportunities.
Profile Image for Awinash Jha.
33 reviews4 followers
September 11, 2016
This book is a bold attempt to define and categorize the disruptive technologies known as digital . The paradigm on business models are shifting so fast ,it sends shiver down the spine after reading this book , if you are already not up to speed . I liked the way it explains three layers and three forces that needs to be adapted to. Especially how technology itself has become a strategy now because of resolution revolution . I would say must read because being digital is not an option now it's must for profession and social life.
Profile Image for Ash Alwi.
2 reviews
February 5, 2016
The authors presented a good overview of the digital framework and how businesses should relook into their core competencies to incorporate digital as part of their DNA. Although it lacks the tools to help managers to build their digital proposition, the book is a good starting point for businesses to formulate their digital strategy.
2 reviews
July 3, 2016
Many inspiring ideas

Well researched With a vast amount of good pracical examples.
Across different industries many hints what leadership skills are needed
Profile Image for David Ferreira Alves.
383 reviews4 followers
August 7, 2017
Um guia para o mundo da digitalização escrito de forma simples e clara.
A minha menor classificação resulta da ausência de novidade e de uma receita para a digitalização pouco elaborada.
Recomendo como introdução ao tema.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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