Digital is about people: do you agree?

Since I assumed the role of Chief Digital Officer (CDO) earlier this year, I have been asked countless times what the position of CDO entails. In an organisation like PwC where digital is being embedded into our DNA and in everything we do, where does the work for a CDO start and end? How does it relate to Chief Technology, Information and Data Officers, and how do we measure success?

Here is a short video clip from an internal interview I did to introduce myself to our 500+ technologists in Mainland China and Hong Kong. In the clip, I explain what digital means to me.

Technology is only part of the equation

As I explain in the video, technology is only part of the equation. The process of digital transformation requires a strong focus on people and my role as CDO is to ensure that our 17,000 people in PwC China have the technical tools, digital skills and collective confidence they need to help PwC thrive in the digital age. 

As technology evolves, so must we in the way we think, work and approach the market. We are already seeing major shifts within our firm with the rise of software and subscription products, and the application of emerging technologies in our client services. All these innovations are made possible by our people.

People are key to scaling up innovation

Across the PwC network we are introducing a range of exciting new programmes to help us Reimagine Digital. Examples include:

• Digital Accelerators: where we immerse our people in an intensive digital leadership programme and then give them the space to be digital leaders, teachers and catalysts for change in their business units. We are rolling this out in PwC China this week.
• Personalised digital training: acknowledging the general trend towards personalised and on-demand content, PwC has invested in personalised learning tools. Through our Digital Fitness App and internal e-learning platforms, our people can access learning bursts and bite-sized content on topics of their choice when and where they want it. If they choose, even they can set up a regular learning schedule to regularly build their digital fitness.
• ‘New world. New skills.’ : a USD3B global initiative over 4 years aimed at closing the digital divide first, by improving the understanding and skills of our people, and then the communities we operate it. This recently announced investment is yet another testament to how serious we are about making digital a part of our DNA.

Beyond people: a culture of sharing, teaming and collaborating

To be successful is to be outstanding. To go from good to great is quite a big leap, and to go from great to outstanding is a matter of inches. Outstanding companies are able to play at the margins and gain synergies by getting the whole organisation working together as one. 

At PwC, I see great people and talented teams who are changing the way we work every day. The challenge for me, as CDO, is to grow more of these teams within the organisation, and to create an environment – readily accessible world class technology, an entrepreneurial culture and updated internal governance systems – that enables them to connect with, lean on, and learn from each other.

What is your digital transformation story? Do you agree that digital is about people? I’d love to hear your comments.