Digital transformation often reverberates as a buzzword in the corporate hallways, but its true essence expands beyond mere technical adaptability. It encapsulates a spectrum of priorities – authenticity, precision, speed, transparency, and accountability. Renowned tech, AI, and business expert Dr. Henna Karna delves deeper into the mindset requisite to navigate this digital era authentically.
Dr. Henna Karna, with her extensive portfolio as a General Manager at GOOGLE and Global Chief Data Officer at AXA XL, has been instrumental in external-facing customer management, marketing, P&L ownership, and cross-functional development. Her 25-year-long illustrious career is marked by successful organizational redesigning, reshaping incentives, refining KPIs, and reforming the operating model, designing the data, technology, AI, and analytics tech stacks, building competitive products and solutions, and leading growth of robust business profitability.
Dr. Karna has guided Fortune 100 companies onto the AI, and digital frontier through innovative distribution channel strategies, partnership approaches, sales team training, and financial and reserve/reinsurance planning. According to her, the intricacies of digital transformation extend beyond the realm of technology like cloud computing or data digitization. The real challenge lies in change management and the evolution of mindset, perspective, and approach.
In her tenure in risk management and insurance, Dr. Karna observed a stark contrast between digitally advanced companies and those lagging. The former concentrates on their customers, focusing on providing experiences, creating value, and fulfilling needs. In contrast, the latter often confines themselves to their services and financial products.
Dr. Karna’s experience strongly advocates a balance between the “inside-out” versus “outside-in” dimensions of digital transformation initiatives. While continual improvement of capabilities is paramount, maintaining a keen focus on customers’ needs, bidirectional engagement, 24/7 experiences and expectations is equally critical.
Dr. Karna underscores that the shift towards authenticity, precision, and accountability in digital transformation demands a culture change within organizations. Leaders need to lead the way, cultivating a growth mindset, promoting experimentation, fostering innovation, and embracing lessons from failures.
Digital transformation is not a mere adoption of novel technologies. It is a paradigm shift, requiring self-reflection, leadership, and a novel way of thinking. Those who embrace this transformation will stay ahead of the curve, providing enhanced customer experiences and outpacing competition.
To learn more about digital transformation, click on this video, or follow Dr. Henna on LinkedIn.
