Innovationinherentlyinvolvesuncertaintyand
creativitywithacertainmindsetthatcreatesa differencenotonlyinmanagingthepreciseoperational processbutalsoensuresthatemployeesareworkingina goodworkenvironment.Staunchleaderswithamindsetto innovateadoptacontinuousreflection—thatis—these leadershipcharismashaveananswertotheirfirstquestion, athoughtoftheirfirstidea,andthedirectionwhichleadsto thesuccessfulexecutionoftheprojectpromptly.
Moreover,whenemployeesareactivelyinvolvedinthe projectwithanapproachofgivingtheirbestandnoticing newpiecesofinformationthatarepotentiallyimportantfor theproject,theprocessgoeslikearadar,endlesslyscanning theenvironment.Withtherapiddevelopmentsintheeverevolvingbusinessarena,digitizationisspreadingitswings inatransformationthatenablesaugmentationandagility Comprehendingthisscenario,anaspectofaleaderisthat thepersonnevershiesawayfromexperimentingwith thingstofigureoutthebestpossiblepathtoachievingtheir goals.
Nowtheadventoftechnologyisprovidingeaseofaccessto diverseapplicationsleadingtopromptexecutionofthe
projectinsteadoftakingaconventionalapproachto achievingtheirsharedgoals.Itisoneoftheessentialtraits ofleadersthatareconstantlyworkingunderpressure; however,itevolvestheprocessinvolvedintheproject execution.
Ontheotherhand,professionaldevelopmentandconstant growtharetheonlywaysfortechleaderstoensurethat thingswon'tgetleftbehindinthefast-pacedenvironment. Thesepeopleconstantlyexplorenewmethodstoenhance andexpandtheirbusinessskillsandtheirtechnological comprehensionofhowbettermentscanbeleveragedto scaleorganizationalprogresstonewheightsofsuccess.
CIOLookembracesthejourneyofthestaunchleadersthat aredrivingexponentialprogressandaugmentingthe modernbusinessarenabyleveragingtheemergingtrendsof technologyinitslatestedition,"MostInfluential TechnologyLeaderstoWatch,2023."Flipthroughthe pagesandindulgeintheodysseyofexcellencethatis transformingthemodernbusinessworld.
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SparkCognition sparkcognition.com
AmirHusainistheFounderandCEOofSparkCognitionandthe foundingCEOofSkyGrid.Heistheauthorofthebest-sellingbook “TheSentientMachine:TheComingAgeofArtificialIntelligence.”
ClaireisaC-LevelTechnologyExecutivewithdeepexperienceinIT Leadershipanddeliverscreativeandcost-effectivesolutionsthat addresscomplexproblemsanddrivesbusinessstrategyadvancement.
Bentley
GregDemchakisahighlycreativevisionarywithapassionfor creatingindustry-changingsolutionstochallengingproblemsand continuestoworkextensivelytocraftgame-changingdigitalplatforms forthearchitecture,constructionandoperationsindustry
Janneispassionatelydeliveringnewachievementsinmotordrivenapplicationsandelectrificationandisinterestedin learning,innovationandstrategies.
Saifihasemergedasaprominentfigure,leadingYallaGroup Ltdtonewheightsofsuccesswithhisextensiveexperienceand expertiseinthetelecommunicationsindustry
AmirHusain Founder BentleySystems bentley.com ClaireRutkowski SVP,CIOChampion Systems bentley.com GregDemchak SeniorDirector, DigitalInnovationLab DanfossDrives danfoss.com JanneKuivalainen CTO YallaGroupLtd. yalla.com SaifiIsmail President
The company's vision is to become the largest online social networking and entertainment”
TheMiddleEastandNorthAfrica(MENA)region
haswitnessedremarkablegrowthand transformationinitstechnologylandscapeinrecent years.Severalfactorshavecontributedtothisdevelopment, includingayoungandtech-savvypopulation,government initiativestofosterdigitalinnovationandincreased investmentfromglobaltechcompanies.
Asaresult,theMENAregionhasbecomeathrivinghub fortechnologicaladvancements,entrepreneurshipand digitaltransformation,positioningitasakeyplayerinthe globaltechnologyindustry.
Thisrapidgrowthandtransformationofthetechnological landscapeintheMENAregionhascreatedadynamic environmentcharacterizedbyinnovation,collaborationand entrepreneurship.Techstartupsareflourishing,fueledbya supportiveecosystemthatincludesincubators,accelerators andventurecapitalfunding.Thisfosterscreativity,attracts talentandencouragescross-industrycollaborations,leading tothedevelopmentofcutting-edgesolutionsanddriving economicgrowthintheregion.
Amidstthisdynamicenvironment,Saifihasemergedasa prominentfigure,leadingYallaGroupLtdtonewheights ofsuccess.Withhisextensiveexperienceandexpertisein thetelecommunicationsindustry,Saifihasplayedapivotal roleinshapingYallaGroup'sjourneyasaleadingvoicecentricsocialnetworkingandentertainmentplatform.This profiledelvesintoSaifi'sprofessionaljourney,highlights hiscontributionstoYallaGroup'sgrowthandshedslighton hisvisionforthefutureofthecompany.
Withapassionforprovidingsuperioronlinesocial experiencestopeoplewhosharesimilarcultural backgroundsfromtheMENAregion,Saifiisspearheading thecompany'sgrowthandsuccessinthisdynamicmarket. YallaGroupLtdmakesthisscenarioarealitybyofferinga platformthatbringspeopletogether,fosteringasenseof communityandprovidingthemwithanunparalleledonline socialexperience.
YallaGroupLtdisatrailblazingtechnologycompanythat hasmadeasignificantimpactintheMiddleEastandNorth Africa(MENA)region.AsthelargestMENA-basedonline socialnetworkingandgamingcompanyintermsofrevenue in2022,YallaGroupLtdhasestablisheditselfasaleaderin providingexceptionalonlinesocialexperiencestopeople withsimilarculturalbackgrounds.
Thecompany'sfoundationisbuiltonthebeliefthat technologycanbridgegapsandbringpeopletogether.Yalla GroupLtdhascreatedaplatformthatallowsindividuals fromvariouscountriesintheMENAregiontoconnect, communicateandshareexperiencesinaculturallyrelevant andinclusiveenvironment.Throughinnovativefeaturesand interactivetools,YallaGroupLtdhassuccessfully cultivatedasenseofcommunityandbelongingamongits userbase.
YallaGroupLtdhasestablisheditselfasadominantforce intheMENAtechnologysector,offeringaplatformthat transcendsbordersandconnectsindividualsthroughshared culturalexperiences.Withafocusoninnovation,user engagementandculturalsensitivity,YallaGroupLtdis redefiningonlinesocialnetworkingandgaminginthe MENAregion,bringingpeopleclosertogetherand fosteringasenseofcommunityandbelonging.
Saifi'sunwaveringdedicationtoinnovation,technological advancementandmarketdominancehascementedhis positionasavisionaryleaderintheMENAregion's technologylandscape.AsthePresidentofYallaGroup, Saificontinuestodrivethecompany'sgrowth,redefine socialnetworkingandentertainmentexperiences,and inspirethenextgenerationofaspiringbusinessleaders.
Let’s delve into Saifi’s leadership commitment to excellence striving to revolutionize the way people connect and engage in the MENA region and beyond.
TheRiseofaVisionaryLeader
AJourney Shaped by Experience and Expertise
Saifi'sprofessionaljourneyhasbeencharacterizedbya deep-rootedpassionfortechnologyandarelentlesspursuit ofexcellence.Saifishares,“Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur and computer engineer with JordanianAustralian origins.”
Hiscareerbeganin2004atHuawei,wherehehonedhis skillsasaVASEngineer.Buildingonthisfoundation, Saifi'scareertrajectorytookhimtoesteemedorganizations likeZTECorporationandEtisalat,whereheheldinfluential positionsinaccountmanagementandproductmarketing.
TofollowthroughwiththeprofessionaljourneySaifi,in 2008,joinedEtisalat,aglobaltelecommunicationsfirm,as aProductMarketingManagerforatwo-yearstint.
Most Influential Technology Leaders to watch, 2023Heshares,“Seeking new opportunities, I relocated to Australia in 2010, where I assumed the role of VP of Sales and Business Development at NetComm (acquired by Casa Systems), where I oversaw market operations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia for four years.”
ShiftingbacktotheUAEin2013,herejoinedEtisalatas theDirectorofModernTrade,excellingforoversixyears. Inthefullnessoftime,hewasappointedasYalla’sGroup Presidentin2019.Saifiexpresses,“Together with my dedicated team, we spearheaded the monumental achievement of leading the company's IPO, positioning us as the first UAE tech unicorn to be listed on the NYSE.”
Theseexperiencesequippedhimwithacomprehensive understandingofthetelecommunicationsindustryandlaid thegroundworkforhisfutureaccomplishments.
In2019,SaifiassumedtheroleofYallaGroup'sPresident, propellingthecompanytowardunprecedentedsuccess. Underhisastuteleadership,YallaGroupachievedagroundbreakingmilestonebybecomingthefirstUAE-basedtech unicorntobelistedasanIPOontheNewYorkStock Exchange(NYSE)inSeptember2020.This accomplishmentnotonlysignifiestheremarkablegrowthof
YallaGroupbutalsohighlightsSaifi'svisionaryleadership andstrategicacumen.
MarketcompetitionisoneofthechallengesSaififacedat thebeginningofhisjourney,asitrequiresdeveloping uniquestrategiesandinnovativesolutionstostayaheadof competitors.Otherchallengesincludedglobalexpansion,as workingformultinationalcorporationssuchasHuawei, ZTEandEtisalatinvolvedexpandingintodifferentregions andmarkets.However,adaptingtonewbusiness environments,establishinglocalpartnershipsand understandingdiversecustomerneedswerecrucialfor growthandsuccess.
YallaGroup,foundedin2016,hasrapidlyemergedasa leadingvoice-centricsocialnetworkingandentertainment platformintheMENAregion.Itspopularitysoared,as evidencedbyitsinclusionamongtheTop10most downloadedappsinJanuary2019.
YallaGroup'ssuccessliesinitsabilitytoconnectusers throughvoicecommunication,fosteringasenseof communityandenablingengagingsocialinteractions.
WithSaifiatthehelm,YallaGrouphasachieved exceptionalmarketdominance,emergingasthelargest MENA-basedonlinesocialnetworkingandgaming companybyrevenuein2022.
ThisremarkablegrowthcanbeattributedtoYallaGroup's commitmenttoinnovation,seamlessuserexperiencesanda deepunderstandingoftheevolvingneedsofitsusersinthe MENAregion.Byconsistentlyintroducingnewfeatures anddiversifyingitsproductofferings,YallaGrouphas solidifieditspositionasamarketleader
TechnologyplaysapivotalroleinYallaGroup'soperations andgrowthstrategy.Byinvestingincutting-edge technologies,thecompanycontinuouslyenhancesits
In today's management approach, I believe that customer satisfaction is considered vital for success in social communication and digital entertainment industries.”
platform,improvesuserexperiencesandensuresseamless communicationandconnectivity.Saifirecognizesthe importanceofleveragingtechnologytooptimizeinternal operations,fostercollaborationandstreamlineprocesses.
Throughtheimplementationofefficientcommunication tools,projectmanagementplatformsandautomation systems,YallaGroupempowersitsemployeestowork smarterandmoreefficiently
Saifishares,“In today's management approach, I believe that customer satisfaction is considered vital for success in social communication and digital entertainment industries.” Heacknowledgesthesignificanceofworkforceflexibility intoday'sbusinesslandscape.YallaGroupembraces decentralizeddecision-making,specializationandethical guidelinesspecifictotheArabworld.
Bydelegatingtaskstospecializedindividualsorteams,the companyachievesgreateragilityandefficiency,allowing foraswiftresponsetomarketchangesandcustomer demands.Moreover,YallaGroupprioritizesculturalnorms andcaterstothespecificneedsoftheMENAregion, ensuringthatitscontentalignswiththeexpectationsofits targetaudience.
SaifienvisionssignificantgrowthpotentialintheMENA region'sinternetanddigitalmarketoverthenext3to5 years.YallaGroupiscommittedtoself-developmentand diversificationofitsproductofferingstocatertothe evolvingneedsofMENAusers.
Thecompanyactivelyexplorescollaborationopportunities withglobalinternetcompaniestofurtherexpanditsreach andinfluenceintheregion.Bycapitalizingonemerging trendsandembracinginnovation,Saifiaimstoposition YallaGroupasthelargestonlinesocialnetworkingand entertainmentcompanyintheMENAregion.
AspiringbusinessleaderscandrawinspirationfromSaifi's leadershipjourney.Heemphasizestheimportanceof continuouslearning,adaptabilityandself-reflectioninthe pursuitofeffectiveleadership.
Byfosteringagrowthmindset,pursuingpassionand purpose,buildingstrongrelationships,embracingdiversity andinclusivity,maintainingresilienceandperseveranceand conductingbusinesswithintegrityandauthenticity,aspiring leaderscanlaythefoundationfortheirownsuccess.
Saifi's unwavering dedication to innovation, technological advancement and market dominance has cemented his position as a visionary leader in the MENA region's technology landscape.
ArtificialIntelligencetechnologyhasbeenevolving
steadilysincethe1950s,buttodayitisseemingly "everything,everywhere,allatonce,"capturingthe imaginationofawiderpublic.Peopleareasking:howwill AIinfluencethefutureoftechnologyandsocietyasa whole?
ThisisaquestionAmirHusainhasbeenansweringfor decadesandwithgreatsuccess.Husaindiscoveredalove fortechnologyataveryyoungageandasenseofwonder aboutwhathumanitycoulddowithit.By17,heearnedhis firstbachelor'sdegreeincomputerscienceinhishometown ofLahore,Pakistan.Lateron,Amirmovedtoattendthe UniversityofTexasatAustin.Whileworkingtowardhis PhD,hedroppedouttolaunchhisfirststartup(basedinhis apartment).Aftersellinghisfirststartup,hestartedasecond one,whichmergedwithanAustin-basedhardware company.HethenstartedSparkCognition,acompanythat leveragesadvancedAItechnologyinmachinelearning, neuralnetworks,naturallanguageprocessing,andcomputer visionforsomeoftheworld'slargestorganizations.
InthisinterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Amirshareshis journeysofarandhisoptimismaboutwhatanAI-enabled futureholdsforallofus.
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasabusiness leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatSparkCognition. Whatchallengeshaveyouhadtoovercometoreach whereyouaretoday?
In2013,IfoundedSparkCognition.StartinganAI-based companydidn'thavethecachethatithastoday.I encounteredskepticismabout‘machineintelligence,’ particularlytheabilityofAItooutdoexpertsinspecific areasrelatedtoindustrialapplications.ButIrecognizeda hugeopportunity:closeto$100Tofphysicalinfrastructure intheworld,undermassivestressfromenvironmental, productivity,reliability,andease-of-useconcerns. Industrieswereawashindatabutstrugglingtocapitalizeon it(thesignalvs.noiseproblem).
Computersweremorepowerful,cheapsensorsmade industrialdatagatheringeasier,andstoragewasgetting moreaffordable,justasdeeplearningwashavingits momentinthesun.IwantedtoapplyAItothechallenges ofthephysicalworld,whereIbelieveithaslimitless potentialtounlocknovelinsightsfromsensorsanddata, predict,optimize,andautomateprocesses,andhelpsolve reallymeaningfulproblems.
Today,SparkCognitionisredefininghowindustriesoperate andhelpingorganizationsaddresseverythingfromclimate changeandrenewableenergytodefensereadinessand schoolsafety ThewonderIhadasachildcontinuesto propelmetoday.Iwanttokeeppushingagainstperceived boundariesandenhancetheworldwithAI.
Tellussomethingmoreaboutyourcompanyandits missionandvision.Whatarethequalitiesandaspects thatmakeitstandoutasaleadingcompanyin providingAIsolutionsandservices?
SparkCognitionistrulyagloballeaderinAIsoftwarefor business.Wearegratefultoworkwithsomeofthebiggest brandsintheworld,fromBoeingandAirbusinaviationto bpandAramcoinO&GtoMondalezandXeroxin manufacturing.Ourmissionistodeliverworld-classAI solutionsthatalloworganizationstosolvetheirmost criticalproblems,empoweringthemtorunamore sustainable,safer,andprofitablebusiness.
WithourpatentedAItechnologiesthatleveragemachine learning,deepneuralnetworks,naturallanguage processing,andcomputervision,weenableorganizationsto preventunexpecteddowntime,augmenthuman intelligence,maximizeassetperformance,accomplishnetzeroinitiatives,makeworkplacesandschoolssafer,stop cyberattacks—andwe’veonlyscratchedthesurface,inmy opinion.
Almosttwoyearsago,welaunchedHyperWerx,ourfirstof-its-kindaerial/terrestrialintegrationfacilitydedicatedto developingandshowcasingAI-basedtechnologiesfor
Amir Husain Founder
implementationinthephysicalworld.Lastyear,weclosed ourSeriesDfundinground,achievingaunicornvaluation ofover$1.4billion.Andwehavebeencontinuously recognizedasanindustryleaderinemployeeexperience andinnovation,winningawardslikeBuiltInBestPlacesto Work,Forbes'America'sBestStartupEmployers,andFast CompanyWorldChangingIdeas.
Enlightenusonhowyouhavebeentransformingthe modernindustrythroughyoursignificantexpertisein emergingtechnologies.
BuildingonanIPportfolioofwellover200AIassets, SparkCognitionhasaprovenrecordofdelivering generativeAIsolutionsatscale—acceleratingdigital transformationforenergy,manufacturing,transportation, financialservices,retail,education,cyber,anddefense. We’reproductizingthescienceofAI,bringingSaaS-based, modular,configurable,repeatable,scalable,extensible,and explainablesolutionstothemarket.
Describeindetailthevaluesandtheworkculturethat drivesyourorganization.
FourcorevalueshavealwaysdrivenSparkCognition’s culture:OwnIt,DotheRightThing,Innovate,andPut CustomersFirst.“Ownit”meansbeingaccountableforthe outcome.“Dotherightthing”isactingrespectfullyand ethicallyatalltimes.To“innovate,”wemustallkeep learning,sharing,andasking“why.”Andfinally,“put customersfirst”alwaysmeansthecustomer’ssuccessisour success.
Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouleveraging technologicaladvancementstomakeyoursolutions resourceful?
Governmentsandindustriesmustaddresstheover$100Tin failinginfrastructurewehavecurrently,plusnearly$100T comingonlineinthenextfewdecades.SparkCognitionis buildinganAI-poweredoperatingsystemfortheworld’s
SparkCognition is building an AI-powered operating system for the world’s infrastructure, enhancing existing and new systems by encasing and embedding them with intelligent software.
infrastructure,enhancingexistingandnewsystemsby encasingandembeddingthemwithintelligentsoftware.
We’vealreadybegun.SparkCognitionVisualAIAdvisor nowhas130K+camerasundercontractacross16countries. SparkCognitionMaritimeShippingAdvisorisusedto transportover3Bbarrelsofoilglobally.SparkCognition RenewableSuitemanages8.5GWofenergycapacity
SparkCognitionMaintenanceAdvisorprovidespredictive insightsforsomeofthelargestoffshoreoilplatforms, overseeing170M+barrelsofproductionperyear SparkCognitionGovernmentSystems(SGS)Digital MaintenanceAdvisoraugmentsmaintenancesupportforthe F-16fighter,representingthelargestjetfleetglobally SkyGrid,createdinpartnershipwithBoeing,istheworld’s firstairspacesystembuiltonAIandblockchain.The SkyGridappisusedbyover100Kdroneusersacross100+ countries.
What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextsignificant changeinyoursector?Howisyourcompanypreparing tobeapartofthatchange?
GenerativeAIapplications,likeChatGPTandothers,are drivingtremendousexcitementinthespace.Awonderful byproductofallthisattentionismorepeoplearelearning howfarAIhascome.Maybeforthefirsttime,theyrealize howtransformativeAIwillbeintheireverydaylivesand howsoonthatwillhappen.
Asforlanguagemodelsandthetrendofneuro-symbolic
AI—wehavebeeninnovatinginthisareaforyears.We’ll havetransformativesolutionstosharewiththeworldthis year,too.ThisisundoubtedlyaneraofrapidAIinnovation.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun, andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforSparkCognition?
Overthenext50years,thiscompany’sexpertisein generativeAIforindustrialswilladdresstheworld’smost criticalbusinesschallenges.Iwanttobeinstrumentalinthe productionofcleanenergyandthedeliveryofnetzeroby 2050;tomakeourcitiessmarterandmoreresponsivetothe needsofitscitizens;toenableautonomousoperationsof machinesfromfactoriesandfarmstohighwaysand skyways;andtoaugmenthumanabilities,enhancingthe individualexperienceandeliminatingworkplaceaccidents by99%by2040.
Wedon’tviewthesegoalsasaspirational—theyare achievablewithourcurrenttechnologies,know-how,and experiences.Weaskgovernments,leaders,organizations, andindividualseverywheretojoinustobuildabetter,more equal,andabundantfutureforall.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothesectoranddevelop integratedAIsolutionsforperpetualbetterment?
Focusonsolvingrealproblemsanddeliveringrealvalue. Focusonthelongterm.Remainhumblethroughthis processandneverstopinnovating.
ntoday'srapidlyevolvingdigitallandscape, Itechnologyhasbecomeanindispensabletoolthathas transformedvariousaspectsofourlives,includingthe realmofleadership.Ithasemergedasapivotalforcethat cansignificantlyenhancethepracticeofleadership.As organizationsnavigatecomplexchallengesandseekto fostergrowth,theintegrationoftechnologyhasbecome morethanjustachoice–it'sastrategicimperative.
Technologyplaysapivotalroleinshapingmodern leadershippracticesandenhancingtheeffectivenessof leadersacrossvariousdomains.Ithasrevolutionizedthe wayleaderscommunicate,makedecisions,collaborate,and inspiretheirteams.
Moreover,thecoreprinciplesofleadershiphaveremained timeless,encompassingtraitslikevision,communication, adaptability,andempathy.However,theadventof technologyhasnotonlyfacilitatedtheseprinciplesbuthas alsointroducednewdimensionstoeffectiveleadership.In thisarticle,wewillexplorehowtechnologycanenhance thecoreprinciplesofleadership,backedbystatisticsand real-worldexamples.
Ÿ VisionandStrategy:
Oneofthefundamentalprinciplesofleadershipishavinga clearvisionanddevelopingastrategicplantoachieveit. Technologyempowersleaderstoformulate,communicate, andexecutetheirvisionmoreeffectively Accordingtoa reportbyPwC,87%ofCEOsbelievethattechnologywill significantlyreshapetheirbusinessstrategieswithinthe nextfiveyears.
Example:ElonMusk,thevisionaryleaderbehind companieslikeTeslaandSpaceX,utilizestechnologyto realizehisambitiousgoals.Throughadvancedsimulations, dataanalysis,andAI-drivendesign,hehasacceleratedthe developmentofelectricvehiclesandspaceexploration.
Ÿ CommunicationandCollaboration:
Effectivecommunicationisahallmarkofsuccessful leadership.Technologyprovidestoolsthatenableseamless communicationandcollaborationacrossgeographiesand timezones,fosteringtransparencyandinclusivitywithin teams.
Statistics:AsurveyconductedbySlackin2021foundthat 79%ofknowledgeworkersbelievethattechnologyhas improvedtheirabilitytocommunicatewithcolleagues.
Example:MicrosoftTeamshasemergedasaprominent platformforremotecollaboration.DuringtheCOVID-19 pandemic,leadersworldwideturnedtosuchplatformsto ensureuninterruptedcommunicationandcoordination amongtheirteams.
Ÿ AdaptabilityandInnovation:
Leadersmustbeadaptableandembraceinnovationtothrive inaconstantlychangingenvironment.Technologyequips leaderswithdata-driveninsightsandautomationthat enhancedecision-makingandinnovation.
Statistics:AccordingtoastudybyMcKinsey,companies thatusedataandanalyticsextensivelyare23timesmore likelytoacquirecustomers,sixtimesmorelikelytoretain customers,and19timesmorelikelytobeprofitable.
Example:Amazon'sJeffBezosutilizedtechnologyto innovateintheretailsectorwithconceptslikepredictive analyticsandpersonalizedrecommendations.Amazon's successdemonstrateshowtechnology-drivenadaptability canleadtomarketdominance.
Ÿ EmpathyandEmployeeWell-being:
Empathyisavitaltraitforleaderstoconnectwiththeir teams.Technologyfacilitatesabetterunderstandingof employeewell-beingthroughdataanalysisanddigitaltools thatpromotework-lifebalance.
Statistics:AsurveybyGartnerin2020revealedthat68%of HRleadersusedtechnologytomeasureemployeewellbeingduringthepandemic,comparedto29%beforethe crisis.
Example:Salesforce'sMarcBenioffprioritizedemployee well-beingbyutilizingtechnologytoassessemployee sentimentandengagementthroughsurveysandanalytics. Thisapproachenabledthecompanytotaketargetedactions tosupportitsworkforce.
Leadersmakecriticaldecisionsdailythatimpacttheir organizations.Technologyprovidesaccesstovastamounts ofdata,enablingleaderstomakeinformeddecisions backedbyinsights.
Statistics:AstudybyNewVantagePartnersfoundthat 97.2%ofexecutivesbelievethattheirorganizationsare
investinginbigdataandAItoimprovedecision-making.
Example:IBM'sWatson,anAI-poweredsystem,assists leadersindecision-makingbyanalyzingvastamountsof datatoprovidevaluableinsights.Thistechnology-led approachenhancestheaccuracyandspeedofdecisionmakingprocesses.
Inthemodernbusinesslandscape,transparencyand accountabilityarecrucialformaintainingtrustwith stakeholders.Technologyofferstoolsfortrackingprogress, performanceandaccountabilityacrossvariouslevelsofan organization.
Statistics:AreportbyEdelmanfoundthat56%of employeesbelievethattransparencyfromleadershipisthe mostimportantfactorforbuildingemployertrust.
Example:Blockchaintechnologyhasbeenutilizedby companiestoensuretransparencyinsupplychains. Walmart,forinstance,usedblockchaintotracetheoriginof foodproducts,enhancingaccountabilityandauthenticity.
Inconclusion,technologyhasemergedasacatalystfor enhancingthecoreprinciplesofleadership.Fromshaping strategicvisionstofosteringeffectivecommunicationand enablingdata-drivendecision-making,technologyhas revolutionizedleadershippractices.Thestatisticsand examplesprovidedinthisarticlehighlighthowtechnology isnotmerelyatoolbutatransformativeforcethat empowersleaderstonavigatethecomplexitiesofthe modernbusinesslandscape.Astechnologycontinuesto advance,itsintegrationintoleadershippracticeswillbe pivotalinshapingthefutureofeffectiveandimpactful leadership.
Withakeeneyeforinnovationandan
unwaveringdedicationtodrivingbusiness success,ClaireRutkowskiisthevisionaryCLevelTechnologyExecutivewhoistransformingtheIT industrywithherinnovativesolutionsandbusinessstrategy advancements.
Withanimpressivetrackrecordofdeliveringcreativeand cost-effectivesolutions,Claireisatrueleaderinthefieldof ITLeadership.Claire'spassionfortechnologyandher unwaveringcommitmenttoimprovingprocessestoenhance productivityandsavetimeemergedrightafterfinishing school.Hersuccessfulcareerisatestamenttoher understandingoftheimportanceofaddingvalue,working hard,andnevergivingup.
The interview highlights how Claire's exceptional proficiency in IT Leadership has established her as a trailblazer in the industry, and how she is leading the way for the future of technology
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasadynamic leaderuntilyourcurrentpositionatyourcompany. Whatchallengeshaveyouhadtoovercometoreach whereyouaretoday?
IwishIcouldrecountacleverlyexecutedawell-thoughtoutplanfromthestartofmycareer.However,thatisnot thecase.IgotintotechnologyandITbyaccident.WhenI wasinhighschool,Iwantedtobecomealawyer,soin college,Imajoredinpoliticalscience.Aftercollege,Itook ayearortwoofftostartmakingasalary,workingatalaw firmbeforeheadingtolawschool.Thatwasaboutthetime thatpersonalcomputerswerebecomingcommonplace. IquicklyrealizedthatbyusingVisualBasicandwritinga fewmacros,Icouldsaveeveryoneloadsoftimewhen preparinglegaldocuments.Ifellinlovewith technology—notfortechnology'ssake,butbecauseofhow itcouldbeleveragedtomakeeveryone'sliveseasier.
Technologycandramaticallyreducetimespentrepetitively doingmanualtaskssuchsearchingandreplacing,for instance,andfreethattimeupfordeeperthinkingand analyticaldecision-making.Idecidedthatlawschoolwas notreallyformeandchosetopursueacareerintechnology full-time.
Ispentmyfirstfewyearsconsulting—buildingdatabases andothertechnologysolutionsforavarietyofclients,and eventuallysettledinatacompanyinChicagocalledHarza Engineering,whichbecameMWHandthenMWH,a Stanteccompany.LittledidIknowthatIwouldstaythere for19years,workingmywayupfromanoffice productivityspecialisttochiefinformationofficer(CIO).
Iampassionateabouthelpingpeople.AsaCIO,Idelivered ITstrategy,services,andsupportto7,000engineering professionalsglobally.Lookingback,itseemslikeanatural progression,butitwasmoreaboutbeingluckyenoughto havetheabilitytomakesuggestions,andhaveleadership thattookmeuponthem,thathelpedmegetahead.
BentleySystemsisleveraging allthistechnologyinits solutions,creatinga data-centric,data-rich environmentfordigitaltwin representationsofcritical infrastructure.
In2016,IwasapproachedbyBentleySystemsabout becomingtheirCIO.MWHhadbeenacustomerofBentley Systemsforyears,andIlovedwhatIsawabouttheculture oftheorganization.So,Ijumpedatthechancetoseethings fromadifferentperspective.IservedasCIOatBentley Systemsforsixyears,leadingateamof400IT,logistics, procurement,vendormanagement,andfinancialoperations colleagues.
Justlastyear,Iwasgivenachancetofocuslessoninternal mattersandmoreonleveragingmyextensiveengineering industryexperiencebyservingastheCIOChampion.This roleallowsmetobeabridgebetweenengineering, architecture,andconstruction(AEC)firmsandBentley Systems.IadvocateforBentley'sAECaccountsandensure thatBentleyisprovidingthethoughtleadershiptheAEC industryneeds.
IthinkoneofthebiggestchallengesIhavehadto overcomeisbeingawomaninwhatisstillamaledominatedindustry(engineeringisevenmoremaledominatedthantechnology).WhenIbecametheCIOat MWH,only4%ofCIOsatAECfirmswerewomen.
Today,thatnumberhasrisento16%.Beingintheminority bringswithitallthehurdlesthatyoumightexpect; however,havingself-confidenceandmakingsurethatIhad theexpertisetobackitupovercamemostofthem.
Enlightenusonhowyouhavebeenimpactingthe dynamicindustrythroughyourexpertiseinthemarket.
ServingastheCIOChampionhasenabledmetoputallmy experiencedevelopedovertheyearsintheAECindustry,as wellastheexpertiseIhaveasatechnologyleader,to meaningfuluse.Ihavealwaysbeenmoreinterestedinthe businessoutcomesthattechnologycandeliver
IunderstandthepressuresthatAECfirmsareunderand whattheycanaccomplishwhentheyutilizetheright technologyforthetaskathand.Ialsohaveadeepenough understandingofthetechnologyitselftoseethepivotalrole thatitwillplayinsolvingsomeofourbiggestinfrastructure challengesforthenextgeneration.
Describeindetailthevaluesandculturethatdriveyour organization.
BentleySystemswasfoundedbytheBentleybrothersand isnowapubliclytradedcompanywithover5,000 colleaguesandoverUSD1billioninrevenueannually
Throughoutitsalmost40-yearhistory,Bentleyhascertainly seenalotofchange,butonevaluethathasnotchangedisa focusonrespectforoneanother Thecollegialwork environmentiswhatdrewmetoBentleyinthefirstplace.
IwasaBentleycustomerbeforejoiningthefirm,andI noticedthatnomatterwhomIwasspeakingwithfrom Bentley,theyalwaysreferredtotheirco-workersandteam membersascolleagues,neveremployees.Thatconsistency ofrespectsaidalottomewhenIchoseBentley.Itshows upinindividualautonomy,theabilitytovoiceone'sopinion andmakedecisions,andtheopportunitytofunctiononand leadempoweredteams.Anothervalueisputtingourusers first.
Wedemonstratethisinavarietyofways—fromour productstoourcolleagues'domainexpertisein infrastructureengineeringtoourquantitativeandqualitative surveystoensurethatweareconsistentlyexceeding expectations.Wefeelaccountabletoourusersandaccounts oneverylevel.
Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouadvancingtowards technologicalinnovationstomakeyoursolutions resourceful?
Ithasneverbeenamoreexcitingtimetobeinboththe technologyandinfrastructurespaces.Therearesomany pressuresontheinfrastructuresectortodomorewithless thattechnologyadoptionandchangehaveaccelerated dramatically.Duringdesign,companiesareusingdrones andLiDARtoquicklycapturetheexistingworld,whichis muchmoreefficientandaccuratethantraditionalsurveying techniques.
Subsurfacegroundpenetratingradarisregularlyusedto locatepipesandotherexistingutilities,eventhrough concrete.Pedestrianandvehiculartrafficcanbesimulated. Storms,flooding,andotherweatherconditionscanbe modelledtoensurethatanassetcanstanduptolocal conditions.
Companiesarealsoleveragingdigitaltwinstocreatevisual representationsoftheirdesigns,whichengageowners, operators,andcitizenstakeholdersaliketosavereworkand accelerateprocurementandconstruction.Newtools—such as3Dprinting(inconcrete)androbotics—arebeingusedto makeconstructionmoreefficient,andwearabledevicesare helpingpeoplestaysafeonthejobsite.Operatingand maintainingapieceofinfrastructurehasalsobeenmade
saferandeasierthroughtheapplicationoftechnology.
Newinfrastructureisbeingbuiltwithembeddedsensors, usingedgecomputingtoalertownerstochangesin conditions,suchasanincreaseinheatorariseinwater levels.Dronesandphotogrammetrycanhelpconductasset conditioninspectionsforrustonsteelgirders,cracksin bridgesanddams,andobstaclesonrailroadtracks,whichis saferthanmanualinspections.BentleySystemsis leveragingallthistechnologyinitssolutions,creatinga data-centric,data-richenvironmentfordigitaltwin representationsofcriticalinfrastructure.
What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextsignificant changeinyoursector?Howisyourcompanypreparing tobeapartofthatchange?
Theinfrastructuresectorisalreadyundergoingadigital transformationandischangingthewayassetsaredesigned, built,andoperated.Wearealreadyusingdigitaltwinsnot onlyasvisualrepresentationsoftheas-designedandasbuiltworldsbutalsoasamechanismforknittingtogether disparatedatasets.
Weseedata-richmodelsbeingusedtoconstructand operateassets,leveragingsensorsandotherremotetoolsto facilitatetheirmaintenance.However,designisstillatimeconsumingprocess.Ibelievethatbecausethedemandfor infrastructureishigherthanwecankeepupwith,ournext bigshiftwillbethemorewidespreadadoptionoftruly generativedesign,notjustofindividualcomponentsbutof systems.
Traditionaldesignisaverymanualandlabor-intensive processgenerativedesignleveragesAIandcloud computingtoenableengineersanddesignerstoinputallthe constraintsanddesiredoutcomesandthengenerate multipleoptionsthatmeetthoserequirements.Itisalready beingusedinarchitecturetocreateconceptdesigns,in manufacturingonindividualcomponentsaswellasatthe componentlevelforindividualpartsoftheinfrastructure.
However,asAIdevelopsfurther,Ibelievewewillexplore theabilitytohandlemoreconstraints,moreoutcomes,and morecomplexscenarios—creatinggreaterefficienciesfor designfirmsanddeliveringbetteroutcomestosociety
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun, andwhatareyourfuturegoalsfortheorganization?
Figuringoutwaystoapplytechnologytoimprove
efficiencyanddeliverbetteroutcomeshasalwaysbeena keydriveratworkforme,andIexpectthattocontinue. IhopetobehelpingAECfirmsadvancetheirdigital strategiessothattheycandeliverinfrastructureservices fasterandmoreeffectivelywhileproducingbetterdesigns thatincreasesustainabilityandlowerourcarbonfootprint.
Iamalsointerestedinhelpingourusersconceiveofand delivermoretransformationalsolutionsandnewrevenue streamssothattogether,wecancontinueadvancing infrastructureandmeetingtheneedsoftheworld's population.
Theinfrastructuresectorisadynamicspaceandis changingrapidly,socomeandjoinus!Youwillfinda sectorthatishungryfortechnologysolutionsthatdrive efficiencywithoutsacrificingquality.
Youwillfindanecosystemofconsultants,providers, owners,andoperatorswhoareincreasinglyjoiningforces andworkingtogethertohelpdeliverprojectsmorequickly, safely,andwithhigherqualitythaneverbefore.
Weliketheideaofbeingresponsibleforprovidingclean drinkingwater,energy,shelter,andtransportation.Weare highlycollaborativeandarealwayslookingforwaysto makeadifference.
Intheannalsoftechnologicaladvancement,fewfields
haveexperiencedasmuchrapidevolutionasArtificial Intelligence(AI)andDataAnalytics.Thesymbiotic relationshipbetweenthesetworealmshasbroughtforth transformativeinnovationsthathavereshapedindustries andredefinedpossibilities.Aswestandatthethresholdofa newera,thetrajectoryofAIandDataAnalyticspromisesa futurewheremachinespossessnotjustintelligence,but understanding;wheredataisn'tjustcollected,but decipheredforprofoundinsights.Thisarticledelvesinto theexcitinginnovationsthatawaitusinthisdynamic intersection,offeringaglimpseintoaworldwhereAIand DataAnalyticsrevolutionizeeverythingfromhealthcareto environmentalconservation.
AI'sevolutionhasprimarilyfocusedonreplicatinghuman intelligence,culminatinginsystemsthatcanprocessvast datasetsandperformcomplextasks.However,thefuture liesinthetransitionfrommereintelligencetogenuine understanding.CognitiveAI,anascentconcept,seeksto imbuemachineswithhuman-likecomprehension,enabling themtoperceivecontext,inferemotionsandmakenuanced decisions.Thisinnovationwillpropelchatbotsbeyond scriptedresponses,allowingthemtoempathizewithusers, comprehendsarcasmandtailorinteractionsaccordingly
Example:AcognitiveAI-drivenvirtualtherapistcandetect notonlythewordsspokenbyapatientbutalsothe underlyingemotionalcues,offeringpersonalized therapeuticresponsesthatresonateonadeeperlevel.
AsAIinfiltratescriticaldomainslikehealthcareand finance,the'black-box'natureofitsdecision-makingraises
concernsabouttransparencyandaccountability
ExplainableAI(XAI)istheantidotetothisopacity, ensuringthatAI'sdecisionsareintelligibletohumans.This innovationwillenableprofessionalstotrustAI-driven insightsand,moreimportantly,understandthereasoning behindthem.
Example:Inthemedicalfield,XAIcanelucidatewhya certaindiagnosiswasmade,grantingdoctorstheconfidence toendorseAIsuggestionsandenhancingpatientcare.
Thegrowingemphasisondataprivacyhasledtoaparadox: whileorganizationsneedvastdatasetstotrainAImodels, individualsarewaryoftheirpersonalinformationbeing exploited.FederatedLearningtacklesthisdilemmaby enablingmodeltrainingacrossdistributeddeviceswithout centralizingdata.ThisinnovationallowsAImodelstolearn fromvarioussourceswhilekeepingsensitiveinformation localized,therebyenhancingprivacy.
Example:SmartphoneuserscollectivelyimproveanAI's languagetranslationcapabilitiesbytrainingitontheir devices,withouteversharingindividualtextsor compromisingprivacy
Traditionally,buildingAImodelsrequiredspecialized expertise,limitingtheiraccessibility AutoMLseeksto democratizeAIbyautomatingthemodel-buildingprocess, allowingdomainexpertswithoutextensivecodingskillsto createandfine-tunemodels.
Example:AbiologistcanleverageAutoMLtodevelopan AImodelthatidentifiesrareplantspeciesfromimages withouthavingtobeanAIexpert.
Whilepredictiveanddescriptiveanalyticshavepavedthe wayforinformeddecision-making,prescriptiveanalytics takestheleapfrominsightstoaction.Thisinnovation doesn'tjustforeseeoutcomesbutrecommendsthebest courseofactiontooptimizethoseoutcomes,offeringa moreholisticapproachtodata-drivendecision-making.
Example:Supplychainmanagerscanutilizeprescriptive analyticstoanticipatedisruptionsandreceiveactionable
suggestionstomitigatepotentialissues,ensuringsmooth operations.
TheimpactofAIandDataAnalyticsisnotlimitedto businessrealms;itextendstoaddressingglobalchallenges. Inenvironmentalconservation,AIispoisedtobecomea game-changer.Byanalyzingecologicaldataandsatellite imagery,AIcantrackdeforestation,predictnatural disasters,andmonitorendangeredspecies'habitats, enablingtargetedinterventionsforasustainablefuture.
Example:AI-powereddronesequippedwithcamerasand sensorscanmonitorremoterainforests,identifyingillegal loggingactivitiesandhelpingauthoritiescombat deforestation.
AsthepotentialofAIgrows,sodoesthecomplexityofthe problemsitaimstosolve.QuantumAImarriesthe computationalpowerofquantumcomputerswithAI's patternrecognitionanddecision-makingcapabilities, openingdoorstosolvinghithertoinsurmountable challengesinfieldslikedrugdiscovery,materialsscience andcryptography.
Example:QuantumAIcouldrevolutionizedrug developmentbyrapidlysimulatingmolecularinteractions, drasticallyacceleratingtheprocessoffindingnew medications.
ThesynergybetweenAIandDataAnalyticsispoisedto definethefuturelandscapeofinnovation,offeringsolutions thatwereonceconfinedtotherealmofsciencefiction.As AIevolvesfrombeingintelligenttotrulyunderstanding, andDataAnalyticsprogressesfrominsightstoactions,our worldwillbereshapedacrosssectors.Fromenhancinguser experiencestopreservingtheenvironmentanddriving scientificdiscovery,thepossibilitiesarelimitedonlybyour imagination.Thefuturebeckonsustoembracethese innovationsandembarkonajourneywherethelines betweenhumaningenuityandmachineintelligence continuetoblur
ollaboratingoninfrastructuredesigninthe Cmetaverseisnotaconceptbasedfarinthefuture. Infact,thankstogameenginetechnology,itis happeningrightnowanditisbuildingmomentum.
Designteamsareworkingopenlyusingarangeofdevices withtechnologyfromUnrealEngine,Omniverse,and Unity,amongothers.Thesegameenginesarenotonly boostingthecomputationalpowerneededtotakea3D modeltoaseamless4Dspatialexperience,theyare workingtowardinteroperabilityforreal-timeexchangeof assetsbetweenproductsorplatforms,withoutlossof fidelityorfunction.Thisopenexchangeleadstoinnovation, problem-solving,andanoverallnewsenseofteamwork cultureinconstructiondesignanddelivery
Youcouldsaythatgamingtechislevelingupproductivity, efficiency,andevenprofitabilityforthebuiltenvironment.
LastApril,EpicGames–makerofUnrealEngine–announcedthatithadraised$2billiontoinvestin developingakid-friendlymetaverse.Thepartnershipwith EpicandLegoaimstocreateasafespaceforchildreninthe metaversewherephysicalanddigitalworldsconnectfor limitlesscreativepossibilities(TechCrunch).ButEpic’s influenceoncreatingintherealworlddoesn’tstopat plasticbricks.Withits2022moneyequityvaluationof $31.5billion,Epicisinvestingmillionsindesigning compatiblesolutionsforarchitects,engineers,and constructionmanagerstobuildreal,life-sizedinfrastructure usingthemetaverse.
Inamixedrealityexperience,usingdigitaltwintechnology, organizationstakeadvantageofgamingenginestoredesign
cities,tourfactories,or,inthecaseoftheITERproject, buildthelargestfusionexperimentofalltime.Allwhile operatingonavarietyofplatforms,virtually,fromlocations aroundtheworld.
Itstartswithhavingadigitaltwinplug-inthatlinks constructiondesignmodelstoametaverseexperience.
Adigitaltwin,insimpleterms,isadigitalrepresentationof therealenvironmentthatisupdatedcontinuouslywithlive data.AnopenplatformlikeiTwinbringsinallthe engineeringdataofa3Dmodel,thenadds4Ddigital contextwithrealityandspatialmodeling.Itisthegame enginetechnologythatturnsthatdataandcomplex modelingintoanimmersiveworldwithlighting,textures, anddepthinthemetaverse.
Comparedtootherusesofthemetaverse,whatmakesthe infrastructureindustrysouniqueisthereisalreadya3D modelbehindeverystructure.Withengineersbuilding modelseveryday,thereisneverashortageofcontentfor themetaverse.
Designingandbuildinginthevirtualenvironmentis provingtosavetimeandmoneyonsomeverylarge-scale projects.Whenanengineerorconstructionmanagersteps ontothevirtualjobsite,theexperienceisseamless,with dataupdatinginrealtimeviastrategicallyplacedsensorsat thephysicaljobsite.Theycanseewhathaschanged,track progress,andcanclickonanobjecttoretrieve specificationsandotherinformationmuchmorequickly thanscanningastandardspecsheet.
Greg Demchak is an MIT graduate in architecture and design technology (SMArchS) with a 20-year career in software development. He leads Bentley’s iTwin Innovation Lab, which is dedicated to prototyping how digital twin technologies shape how infrastructure is designed, constructed and operated.
Image Courtesy: Bentley Systems
Andpeopledon’tneedtobe“technical”tousethis technology.Gamingplatformsmakeaccesstodataso versatile,thataprojectengineerworkingoutoftrailerand surroundedby200-footcranesand50-tonbulldozerscango fromusingatablettorundailyanalysisatthephysicaljob sitetowearingaHoloLenstoseeintothefutureofthe projectlifecyclein4D.Experiencingthelong-termeffects ofdesigndecisions,beforetheyhappen–perhapsa concretepillarbeginstocrack–let’sbuildersmakechanges inthepresenttomitigaterisk.
Theopenplatform,collaborativeenvironmentofthe infrastructuremetaversealsoaddressesproductivity challengesandthenegativeeffectsofisolationfacedby remoteworkers.Conductingawalk-throughofapower gridbecomesalotmoreinterestingandeffectivewhen remoteparticipantscanseeandheareachotherinthe metaverse.
Virtualandaugmentedrealityexperiencesconnect colleaguesinawaythatignitescreativityandknowledgesharing,andinspiresthemtobringahigherlevelof engagementtotheproject.Inonerecentstudyoutof UCLA,scientistsnotedhowvirtualrealitycreatesa stronger“thetarhythm”brainwavethatmaypositively affecthowthebrainlearnsandretainssensoryinformation (NeuroscienceNews).Ahigherlevelofengagementresults inbetterengineeringdecisionsthatcanleadtoincreased safetyandefficiencyonthephysicalbuild.Themetaverse evenlendsitselftonetworkingamongpeerstodeepen relationshipsforfutureprojects.
Isthereadownsidetobuildinginfrastructureinthe metaverse?Notreally.Sure,noteveryoneisabletoafforda TESLASUIT(norwilltheyneedone).And,foreveryday use,wearabledeviceshavesometimesreceivedlowmarks forcomfort:clunkywiredheadsetsandvision-induced motionsicknesshavebeenaproblem.Itistruethatthese pitfallshavechallengedadoption.
Butnowheadsetsarewireless,morecomfortableand affordable,andsmaller,whichalsomakesthemmore portable.Asfarasmotionsicknessisconcerned, applicationsarenowdialingintherightframerates–the numberofframespersecondthatthehumaneyesees–to helpcreatethatrealistic,butsensory-friendlyexperience.
Sometimestheeffectsofdepthperceptioninanapplication issorealistic,itcanbeabitjarring.Likewhenengineers andplannersgoabouttheirdayinsidethe3Dmodelofthe ITERTokomak–consideredoneofthemostambitious scientificendeavorsinsizeandscope–awalkaroundthe topofthe60-meter-tallstructurecanmakethemfeellike theyshouldwatchtheirstep.
Inthelastyear,interestinthemetaverse,itschallengesand benefits,hasgrownexponentially.Gamingengine technologyispavingthewaytolimitlessopportunity,and wecancountonthefactthatorganizationsareoptinginto themetaversetobuildthefutureofinfrastructure,with toolsthattheycancarryaroundinabackpack.
Transformationalleadersfocusonhelpingmembers
ofthegroupsupportoneanotherandprovidethem withthesupport,guidance,andinspirationthey needtoworkhard,performwell,andstayloyaltothe group.Theprimarygoalsoftransformationalleadersareto inspiregrowth,promoteloyalty,andinstilconfidence. ThesearetheattributesthatdefineJanneKuivalainen, CTO with DanfossDrives.
JanneKuivalainenhascoveredareasfromsystemintegrator salestoprojectengineeringandfromR&Dteamsto combinedproductmanagementanddevelopment organizations.Thekeytoovercomingthechallengeshas beenstayingcustomerfocused.Andthishasbeenimportant inalljobshehashad.
Itkeepsyouontherighttrackandhelpstoconvey sustainabledirectionsettingintotheorganizationduring transformations.Anotherareathathefoundusefulwas beingcurioustoexpandhisknowledgeanddaretotryout newthings.Thenyouknowwhatworksandwhatdoesnot. Anditalsohelpstoyoucanleadbyexample.Teamwork bringsresultsandbuildingtherightteamsfortherighttasks andnetworkingexternallyandinternallyareimportantto me.Andresultsaredeliveredwhenthereisafocus.
Keepingfocusintoday’srapidlychangingworldisone kindofchallengeitselfanditrequiressolidstrategywith agility.Oneneedstohaveabigpictureinmindwhile settingmeasurablegoalswithshortenoughpivotingoptions aswelearnaswego.Thisfeedbackloopisalsovery importanttoJanneonapersonallevel.It’saneffective learningmechanismtogetfeedbackfromthepeoplearound you.
InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Jannesharesvaluable factshighlightinghisprofessionaltenureintheniche. Belowaretheexcerptsfromtheinterview:
Tellussomethingmoreaboutyourcompanyandits missionandvision;howdoesyourcompanythrive towardsenablingadvancementsinthemodern industry?
DanfossisaDanishfamily-ownedcompanyfocusingon businessesgettingmoreoutoflessbyrethinkingourenergy systemsandusingourenergysmarter Wehavenearly 42,000employeesandsalesinmorethan100countriesand factoriesinmorethan20countries.
Ourpurposeistodecarbonizewithourcustomersand createlong-termvalue.Ouruniqueproductsandsolutions providerealvaluetoourcustomerstowarddecarbonization inanintelligentandcost-efficientway.Asafamily-owned company,weintentionallyfocusonthelongerview
Andwearelivingit!Electrificationisonemegatrendthat weareheavilyinvestingin.Weelectrifymobileworking machinesinthemaritimeindustry,helphybridizationin variousindustriesandfinallySemikron-Danfossisastrong playerdevelopinganddeliveringinnovativesolutionsfor automotiveapplications.
Digitalizationisanothermegatrendwherewewanttobe thepreferredpartnerofourcustomerswhenitcomesto improvingsolutionstodelivermorewithlesswiththehelp ofsimulationandmodelling.Wehavehadphysical applicationdevelopmentcentresforco-innovationwith customersforalongtime,butnowwehaveaddeddigital dimensionstothem.
Enlightenusonhowyouhavebeenimpactingthe industrialandelectricalequipmentnichethroughyour expertiseinthemarket.
Tomemakinganimpactonthemarketisacombinationof therighttimingandtypeofaction.Onegoodexampleis
marketdataanalysisabouttheindustrialethernetmarket penetration.Iwasheadingoneprojectmorethan20years backwherewedidtheveryfirstindustrialproductwith integratedindustrialethernetconnectivity,withabitlagof marketdemand,butitwastargetedforinnovators.
Withanotherproductandplatformandalmostadecade lateritwasclearlytosupportearlyadoptersbutalsotobe preparedforearlymajorityphaseofthemarket development.
Thosewerecalmsteps,butenablersfordigitalizationatthe fielddevicelevel.Today,theessenceistohaveanadaptable andmaintainablesoftwareplatformwithadvanced simulationcapabilitiesandversatileandsecuredata connectivitytoenablefastco-innovationwithcustomers.
Describeindetailthevaluesandtheworkculturethat drivesyourorganization.
MadsClausen,founderofthecompany,saidonce“Action speakslouderthanwords,”andIlikeitverymuch.Weneed todaretochange,anditmeansactionnexttoplanning.
Volatility,uncertainty,complexity,andambiguityintoday’s worldistostay.Myresponseistobecomelearning organization.
Openandinspiringworkingenvironmentwherepeoplecan safelychallengethestatusquoandcelebratesuccessesand failuresaslearningopportunitiesisamust.Butitcomes alsowithresponsibilitytodriveowndevelopmentand organizingworkinawaythatownershipofdeliverablesis clearwithend-to-endaccountabilitytoensureright businessoutcomes.
Undeniably,technologyisplayingasignificantrolein almosteverysector.Howareyouleveraging technologicaladvancementstomakeyoursolutions resourceful?
Everythingstartsfromthecustomer’sneeds–technologyis enablertovalue.Inourbusiness,variablespeeddrivesand powerelectronics,wecanhelpourcustomerswithmore andmoreadvancedsolutionsinenergyefficiencyand customerprocesseffectiveness.
Technologyleversinenergyefficiencyarenewmaterials helpingtominimizepowerlossesandcontrolalgorithms, andthesystemefficiencyiswhatcountsforourcustomers–notthecomponentlevel–andthatiswhyweinvestin applicationspecificknow-how.
Andthelaterpartisalsoimportantinimprovingthe effectiveness.Forexample,increasingcomputingpower withreasonablecostsisenablingedgecomputing functionalitieswithourproductsallowingustointroduce condition-basedmonitoringfunctionalitieshelpingour customerstooptimizeavailabilityoftheirprocesses.
What,accordingtoyou,couldbethenextsignificant changeinyoursector?Howisyourcompanypreparing tobeapartofthatchange?
Thenextsignificantchangeisongoingreadilyandits sustainability Weareinthesustainabilitybusiness–our solutionsareverymuchatthecoreofenergyefficiencyand greentransition.
Andwearealong-termpartnertoourcustomersand suppliersaroundtheworld.Inthatsense,ESGisnotnewto us,butitclearlyshapesusandmotivatesustomakeastepchangehere.Wehavethreemaininitiatives decarbonization,circularity,anddiversityandinclusion.
Decarbonizationisverymuchhelpingourcustomersto decarbonize,whichIreferredtoearlier,andalsomaking ourownoperationscarbonneutral.Circularsolutionsarean importantpartofourbusiness,andwehaveastrongservice businessreadilytoextendthelifetimeofourproducts;and nextstepistoinvestmoreintools,processes,and methodologiestominimizeanenvironmentalloadof materialsused.
Aboutpeople.Ourfoundationishigh-performing,diverse teams.Asaglobalcompany,wehavefoundoutalongtime agoaboutthepowerofdiversity.Butit’sclearthatthereare otherdimensionsaswell;forexample,wehaveformed employeeresourcegroupstoshapethecultureandfoster inclusion.
Withanotherproductandplatformand almostadecadelateritwasclearlyto supportearlyadoptersbutalsotobe preparedforearlymajorityphaseofthe marketdevelopment.”
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun, andwhatareyourfuturegoalsforDanfossDrives?
Iwanttodeliversolutionsthathelpcustomerstobecome evenbetter-performingcompanies.AndIwanttodothatby buildingwinningorganizationsthatcanlearnandadaptto changingbusinesslandscapes.Byfollowingthese objectives,Iamevaluatingemergingopportunitieswhen theycome.
Thishasbroughtmehere,andIbelieveitalsocarriesmein thefuture.InthisCTO&Headoftechnologyrolewithour newlyorganizedDanfossDrives,Ihaveapurposefultask todotoensurethatwewillbethepreferreddecarbonization partnertoourcustomers.Ourbusinessisreallyinthecenter ofgreentransition,andIdomybestsothatwewouldbe evenbetterknownaboutit.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintotheindustrialandelectrical equipmentniche?
Ourindustryisproducingphysicalproductsandindustrial capitalgoods.Ittypicallymeansheavyinvestmentstoget started.Andasproductshasoftenover10yearsoflifetime, lifecycleservicesareplayinganimportantroleinmany industriesweserve.
Thatsaid,forentrepreneurstargetingtogoforaproduct business,selectionofsub-segmentandapplicationwiththe rightdifferentiationandfindingtherightinnovatorsamong customers,becomesacriticalsuccessfactornextto securingfundingtogetthere.
Alternatively,asdataanddigitalizationareplayingabigger andbiggerroleinvalue-add,andtoday’sproductsare producingalotofdatawithbetterinterfacesanddata accessincludingsecurity,thisopensnewdimensionsin benefittingfromapplication-specificknow-how Thekeyis reallyinsightintoapplicationsandcustomervaluedrivers.
ApplyingAIorMLdirectlyintoindustrialprocesses withoutpriorknowledgeaboutthevaluedriverstocreate newnovelvalue-addingsolutionswillnotbeeasy.But combininginsightsofprocessknow-howandnewnovel technologieslikeAIorMLcanpotentiallycreatenew valuablesolutionsinvariousindustriesandapplications.
