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JAN 2020 | VOL 3 ISSUE 8

2020 THE CHANGE-SPOTTERS AND CHANGE-MAKERS

2020

FACES OF CHANGE BROUGHT BY

EDITORIAL

FACES OF CHANGE 2020! ANUSHREE DIXIT EDITOR anushree@gecmediagroup.com

If someone asks you, what it means to be a CIO today, how much time it will take you to say ‘be the change-agent’? Well, 2019 was a catalyst year for this question. From agile IT to paperless office, from making IT to a profit center from cost center to digitizing physical offices, CIOs have been at the brink of all these changes and have pushed the organizations to significant levels in achieving the goals of digital and business transformation. The recently held World CIO 200 Summit in UAE was an eye opener that brought forth some major pain-points, challenges, opportunities that lie ahead of the CIOs or for any technology leader for that matter. At the event the leaderships not only discussed the milestones that have been achieved, but also boldly shared the struggles and hurdles that need to be overcome before moving further in the journey. The CIOs who attended were divided by geographies, but had one thing in common— spirit of innovation. A clear and breakthrough takeaway that we had in the event was, Companies will have existential issues in the next 5 years and businesses WILL BE pushed to move into the digital world, but tangible results can be achieved only if we are open to change. The world class speakers who embellished the event touched very little on technology, but significantly on leadership thereby driving home the fact that CIOs need to come out of the technology halo and start prepping up for the bigger picture. In this issue, we are compiling the thoughts and opinions of over 35 Top CIOs across the GCC who perceive this transformation in different ways. Their plans for 2020 are diverse, their expectation from vendors and varied, their goals are different…… but all walking towards one vision – Being the change-agents. Happy reading!

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JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

Global Community for Technology leaders

CONTENT

2020 FACES OF CHANGE

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS A MINDSET

TRANSFORMATION IS A JOURNEY

TRANSFORMATION IS OVERALL BUSINESS BENEFIT

TRANSFORMATION IS TO INNOVATE

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS STEERING ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPREME LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS According to Ahmed Naeemi, Digital Transformation is mainly about transforming the organizational mindset to think and work innovatively utilizing the suitable digital means.

AHMED NAEEMI,

HEAD OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT BAHRAIN INSTITUTE OF BANKING AND FINANCE

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

TOP CIO IN MEA

How do you define the term transformation? The term transformation in a very simple term is change. In an organizational context, it is a process that orients an organization and take it into an entirely different level of effectiveness.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and businesstransformation? Business transformation is something that predominantly deals with transforming the way we conduct business or the business we are currently in. It is about transforming the business model we currently have, the organizational culture, the customer experience, technology being used, operations of the business, the industry we are in and the scope of the business. All these elements are actually part of the major business transformation.. However, in terms of digital transformation, it is mainly about transforming the organization to think and work whilst utilizing the digital means available or innovating the way that we actually do work. Digital transformation is taking advantage of digital means and technologies to change the way that we think, conduct business and innovate. Digital transformation is one of the key enablers towards business transformation and can impact different elements of business change.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? The challenges in freedom to transform mainly lies in, not only the mindset or the infrastructure, but in many other aspects. Some of the hurdles are employee pushback, where some employees refuse to accept certain transformational strategies, especially when it comes to digital transformation where some employees maybe cut off the chain of the organization

due to the fact that their job has become automated. A challenge that can arise is for the employee to understand that this digital transformation is more beneficial to them rather than making them redundant. The employee pushback needs to be retackled to emphasize on the opportunities that digital transformation can bring them and how they can benefit from taking a new role that requires their creativity and input.. Another challenge or hurdle would be the lack of expertise to lead digitization initiatives. We, in the region currently lack that expertise to lead a massive business to digital transformation project. We usually have technical support who know how to run IT departments and business sup-port who know how to analyze the business yet, we do not have that middle player that understands not only the business but understands how the technology works and bringing them together in order to have a successful digital transformation project to run in the organization. Infrastructure also plays a major role in how we actually can give a better customer experience and innovate the work that we do. A lot of organizations throughout the years have never invested in their IT systems and they were always looking at IT as a cost Center. However currently IT is perceived as an enabler and an investment and that IT is based on the discipline of what you put is what you get. In today’s digital era, if we invest in IT,, it will result in generating all the necessary tools, resources and data in order for us to build wiser business decisions going forward. For those organizations that have not invested into their systems, IT and data that they have in the organization, they will struggle to put something in place and in order for them to actually be able to catch up with the market and the ongoing competition.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities? At the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, we have revamped the whole infrastructure, simultaneously working on the mind shift and cultural shift inside the

organization. In terms of 2020 goals and priorities, a huge focus is on major training programs for the financial sec-tor to train all the organizations in terms of how to think digitally, how to shift the culture, how to work with the technologies that are in hand and more. The BIBF has successfully launched the first digital leadership program, which is developed and copyrighted globally by the institute. We also launched the Award in Digital Transformation where we take learners through the full journey starting with understanding how to analyze business processes, learning about the different technologies including Cloud Computing, Fintech, Blockchain, Artificial intelligence and IOT and ending the programme with learning to build the digital transformation roadmap to lead the change within their organizations.

What would be the top key project implementation that you would be looking for? The top key projects on board for us is a fully digital building. A state-of the-art facility in Bahrain bay which is the heart of the financial sector. It will be a green building from where we will offer all our digital programs. The building will be completed by end of 2020. Digital transformation programs and digital leadership programmes are another aspect that we would be focusing on. We will also be launching our e-learning programs which are a hybrid model of online and offline learning.

If given a chance, what would be one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Since we are in the educational industry, the one thing that I would like to see happen is utilizing more gamification methods in training delivery. The whole training model should be more interactive and creative in the way of delivering the message and the content should be customized to suit various needs and requirements. A lot of elements in the training model have to be changed and needs to be gamified and delivered creatively by using digital means and channels that will make learning more attractive.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS A MINDSET

Business transformation may include the digital transformation or limited to changing the business industry or strategic focus methods with the involvement or not involving the technology. It also empowers customers, improves operational efficiencies, which results in overall growth and profitability

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? It involves both; however, the mindset plays most significant role to adopt to the transformation process.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities n Focusing more into AI (Artificial Intelligence), considering new technology, making rational decisions based on evidences, and transforming unconsidered operations. n Employing software robots using RPA (Robotics Process Automation) to automate the repeated manual tasks; thus, empowering human resources.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? n Introducing AI Automation into our business processes. n Migrating several on-premise services and infrastructure system to cloud

AHMED HASSAN,

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, BAHRAIN IT SOCIETY

How do you define the term transformation? The process of qualitative migration from a state to another state.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation is the process of shift-

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

ing the business operated through technology; this may involve partial or complete transformation. However, Business transformation may include the digital transformation or limited to changing the business industry or strategic focus methods with the involvement or not involving the technology. It also empowers customers, improves operational efficiencies, which results in overall growth and profitability.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? n To adapt to new trends and technologies n Providing uninterrupted services to the Ministry and the Kingdom n Faster response time and lower mistakes

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Improve Corporate Social Responsibility: n Reduce the amount of emissions that pollutes air and damaging ozone layer n Transforming towards renewable energies

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TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS A JOURNEY

our business, how do we compete more effectively in a different playing field, how do we become more agile …?

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

ALI JASSIM,

DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, BAHRAIN

Business transformation is a change management strategy which can be defined as any shift, realignment or fundamental change in business operations, where a digital transformation is a strategic business transformation where customer preferences and behavior drive enterprise technology decisions. It is an end-to-end transformation across the enterprise that impacts all parts of the organization in order to adopt change itself as a core competency.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? In my point of view, I saw it a mindset hurdle where organizations or peoples are struggling with gaps in understating, applying and exploiting the new technologies.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities n Drive innovation/increase relevance of IT n Drive operational effectiveness

How do you define the term transformation? A transformation is a radical change from one situation to another to achieve new values or goals. However, transformation is not an event. It is a journey that is designed to achieve high impact at two levels – individual and organizational. Transformation journeys start with a critical question or challenge. For example, how do we fundamentally rethink

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? n Artificial intelligence and machine learning n RPA (Robotic Process Automation) n Blockchain

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider?

n Our vendors should be experts in all facets of the hardware, software, and professional services they provide. They should have knowledge of best practices within the industry, and they should be able to leverage those best practices to provide us with breakthrough strategies. They should also be able to offer proactive guidance on how to leverage technology within our industry vertical. n Vendors need to be accountable for time, costs, and quality. We require of them professionalism and expertise. They must accept responsibility for all actions by their personnel. And of course, we must hold them accountable for all of their contractual and service-level commitments. n No relationship can be successful without good communication. Vendors need to be proactive, communicating issues and identifying potential degradation of service levels before the situation is critical. But they also need to communicate road maps, strategic direction, issue resolution, contractual obligations, and anything that enhances the relationship. When our vendors proactively communicate, it demonstrates reliability and fosters trust.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Technology is progressing rapidly, and it is changing the way we live, work and play. New inventions are happening, and new paradigms are born almost every day. Conventional concepts we are used to as a human race for decades or even centuries are being disrupted by cutting edge technology. Whether we like this technological revolution or not — we can clearly see how it is affecting our daily lives. So I would like to slow down this revolution and analyze its consequences in human life.

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TRANSFORMATION IS OVERALL BUSINESS BENEFIT The growing consumer preferences and increasing market competition have transformed the need of the hour for every firm. The way industry that transformed their functions by bringing in an all-round change in the overall business culture. However, success in the transformation journey doesn’t come so easily

products and services; both by using the technology to more rapidly design, build and distribute them as well as using digital assets as part of the new offerings themselves. n Business transformation focuses on the “how” of getting things done. It typically involves lots of optimization and automation of repetitive processes, so the organization can focus on higher-value projects. This is typically an ongoing effort, starting with the most common processes and then continuing onto those with lesser returns. The end goal is to relieve the company from the burden of these tasks, so it can innovate or provide higher-value services and offerings to the market.

ANTO PIUS,

MANAGER IT, ASTER DM HEALTHCARE How do you define the term transformation? n The simple way to define transformation is “The process of changing completely the character or appearance of something in order to improve it”. n In another way “Transformation is application of digital capabilities to processes, products, and assets to improve efficiency, enhance customer value, manage risk, and uncover new monetization opportunities.it should be incorporated in the company’s vision.”

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? n Digital transformation is specifically focused on using technology to unlock additional value. This may come in the form of aggregating and sharing data in new, more efficient ways. It also includes leveraging technology and data to offer completely new

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? n Transform is one transition that every firm in every industry is keen about today. The growing consumer preferences and increasing market competition have transformed the need of the hour for every firm. The way industry that transformed their functions by bringing in an all-round change in the overall business culture. However, success in the transformation journey doesn’t come so easily. n I STRONGLY believe that mindset is the hurdle  l Lack of strong commitment  l Lack of acceptance to sprint approach  l Technology implementation.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities n Implementation of ERP inventory management. n Centralize Patient Database make available between the public and private centers to

improve the quality of patient care across Qatar, Digital transformation makes it a compressive healthcare system which caters to the patient’s needs and to empower the staff to decide on the real-time basis. n Customer Experience Transformation Businesses need to look at previous investment in systems to understand market segments and specific demographics better to transform the entire customer experience. Some of the ways for transforming customer experiences include: n Understanding customer dissatisfaction and satisfaction using social media channels n Understanding customers more in details through Analytic Capabilities n Improving in-person sales communication using technology n Personalized sales and customers’ services with the integration of customer purchase data and Usage of mobile apps

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? n Microsoft AX – Inventory management n Clinic Information System - EMR

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? A good vendor relationship starts well before you ever sign a contract with a vendor. The first step is to make sure vendor understand the business process. Vendor/Service provider should ultimately work on the total cost of ownership (TCO) and anticipated ROI to showcase to the company upon which much prospective the company will make their final decision.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS PROGRESS Transformation is a popular buzzword in corporate circles these days. C-suite executives use the term in strategy meetings and shareholder reports as they try to quantify ways to manage the unrelenting pressures of a competitive marketplace and shifting technologies.

organization in a new direction and takes it to an entirely different level of effectiveness. Unlike ‘turnaround’ (which implies incremental progress on the same plane) transformation implies a basic change of character and little or no resemblance with the past configuration or structure.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

CHANDER MOHAN RAINA,

IT AND SYSTEMS MANAGER, WYNDHAM GRAND REGENCY DOHA How do you define the term transformation? In an organizational context, a process of profound and radical change that orients an

Transformation is a popular buzzword in corporate circles these days. C-suite executives use the term in strategy meetings and shareholder reports as they try to quantify ways to manage the unrelenting pressures of a competitive marketplace and shifting technologies. The word transformation is unfortunately weak in its ability to encapsulate the realities

of change and business growth, which is why people sometimes reference two different but related aspects of transformation interchangeability: Digital transformation encompasses the tools and processes implemented to support business transformation; i.e., applications. Business transformation encompasses the cultural shift and business processes driven by changing market demands; i.e., the company’s culture of change and business drivers.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Though digital transformation efforts are underway in a majority of organizations, enterprises still struggle with a number of common issues.

TRANSFORMATION IS MEETING CLIENT EXPECTATION Simply by keeping a close eye on what is happening around their business. Today everything is going towards digital platforms. So the enterprises must identify and anticipate their client direction and expectations. How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is a process of a change from a state or a condition to another. It occurs due to an external or internal factor.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

MESLUM ALKINDI, OMAN TECHNOLOGY CHAMPION, IHG

Simply by keeping a close eye on what is happening around their business. Today everything is going towards digital platforms. So the enterprises must identify and anticipate their client direction and expectations.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or

infrastructure hurdle? Personally, I do not believe in a total freedom of transformation. Today we can control the infrastructure hurdle but not the mindset part of it.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities The goals are all related to how to improve hotel guests stay. The top priority for me is to ensure that we have a secured network connection internally and externally.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? To implement a company goal where all our hotels guests can connect to Internet using one platform at the Cloud via a Membership Program.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS ADOPTING CHANGE

exceptional customer and business value to create a sustainable competitive advantage. To accomplish this transformation, modern CIOs shall be in the heart of the business with a vison and insight to strategically lead the transformation by integrating the most modern technologies into business processes.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

FAIZAL BABU,

IT GOVERNANCE AND ERM SPECIALIST, GULF DRILLING INTERNATIONAL How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is the strategic change in the business model and future proofing of the business to meet the market dynamics, customer preferences and competitive advantage by leveraging advanced technologies and innovations.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? The key to transformation is to adopt change as the core competency by leveraging the technology to remain competitive in the new digital world. The digital transformation is a strategic business transformation where customer preferences and behavior drive enterprise technology decisions. But to establish the real transformation, the organizations need to have clearly defined Business Transformation Strategy that leads them to deliver

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

The changes are inevitable, especially the business transformation is a cultural shift by enabling technology and adopting change as a core competency. Accordingly, the most significant challenge that a CIO has to tackle is to manage the resistance. The target is to transform the business process, organizational behavior, performance to meet the market dynamics and customer preferences to maintain competitive advantage. As there is both mindset and infrastructure hurdle, this cultural shift shall be driven by defined transformation strategy, and primarily this initiative shall be enforced through a top down approach, wherein the transformation becomes a boardroom agenda.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities The priority is to streamline the digital transformation further by establishing the required regulations to meet the security governance, compliance and risk management challenges. Another target is the integration of AI and IoT to establish the predictive analytics capability to streamline and optimize the business processes

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? The company is having a defined cloud

transformation strategy that includes the migration of the entire business applications, IT infrastructure platforms and security governance solutions into cloud environment. In addition to the above, the convergence of these platforms for better governance using the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and Industrial IoT.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? The challenge we face in the transformation projects is the lack of consultants with right skillset. As the technology and transformation takes the center stage of business, the insights and knowledge of consultants on various business verticals is the key success factor. Accordingly, to lead the digital and business transformation, the vendors need to engage the consultants who have a perfect mix of business acumen, the technology skillset, and business process reengineering capability.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Promoting better governance practices is inevitable to optimize cost and operational efficiency and security. However, the percentage of organization establishing a dedicated governance function is very limited. In addition, the emerging technologies and the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform the current social fabric into a technologically collaborative social fabric wherein Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Internet of Things (IoT) takes control. In order to regulate and control such a social fabric, industry has to focus on the development of an equally powerful, technology driven, more resilient and self-regulated governance solution.

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS MAKING IMPACT

From the business perspective, transformation is like, coping with the technological trends, companies need to figure out “when” the changes to be brought and should start preparing for that and for sure major transformation would come in the future, some businesses may still rely on old-but-gold systematic approached, but they should not let take for granted the possibilities and opportunities can bring by these transformations ideas and ingenuity. Transformation wouldn’t happen overnight, unless we think ahead of about how society would change and how we also need to change.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

FERDINAND GUARIN, IT HEAD, QATAR PLASTIC PRODUCTS COMPANY WLL

Digital transformation is something like from manual into automatic. It could change the process, but the output would be the same. It could bring huge impact in overall process. From the business perspective, transformation is like, coping with the technological trends, companies need to figure out “when” the changes to be brought and should start preparing for that and for sure major transformation would come in the future, some businesses may still rely on old-but-gold systematic approached, but they should not let take for granted the possibilities and opportunities can bring by these transformations. Most important is to know the maturity level of this transformations.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is a very positive connotation. In layman’s term, it is a process of intricate changes, a metamorphosis. The best example for this is like a caterpillar turned into a butterfly. It might change the overall appearance, but they will not lose its core. Transformation may differ from case to case basis, but one thing is constant; it’s the “change”. And it is the only permanent thing in this world. In the world of IT, “transformation is the foundation of ever-changing innovations,

It is a co-related thing, one is the mindset, if such system exist for a very long time, It will be hard for the user to think outside of that system, but if that user will able to see the beauty and wonders of the transformation, It could lead that person to transform. Second, is the infrastructure hurdle, again, if the system is effectively and long existing for sure it might stay as it is. But once the user changes his mindset, it will transform whatever it takes. In other words, the reason for this hurdle are the wrong assessment of the technology’s advancement level. Another thing, although technology provides us with so

many convenience and comforts, it also comes with danger of causing problems such as dependency and abuse.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities If God may allow, I would like to be featured in one of the bestselling IT magazines, I would like to share my life and experience from “selling a newspaper from very young age – to construction boy to- a victim of human trafficking – to IT Officer – to – IT admin and now a Head of IT” My goal is to bring “hopes” for someone like me not only as an IT professional but also an individual person.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? I’m looking for the opportunity of what AI could bring and try to integrate and level up with the IT and OT sector to my current employer/company.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Solution/vendor provider must be generous, they should consider the size of the business and offer some free services/tools, software etc. The best example for this is ManageEngine. I highly recommend this company.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? I would like to change the way that some companies are stereo typing IT professionals based on their schools they attended, certificates they have, and their credentials etch. For me they should focus more on what that individual can bring and how persevere that person is.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS TO INNOVATE

transformation. Digital transformation is change that has to do with infrastructure. Business transformation is the overall change, transition or transformation of both human, machinery, process and strategy that takes the company from one level of operation to a higher level.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

FRU CHRISTIAN,

CISO, SADAD ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM

Both mindset and infrastructure are major hurdles to freedom to transform. Generally, humans resist change. People get used to tradition of doing things and shifting from a convenient way of doing things to another always meets resistance. This is a mindset problem. Infrastructural transformation comes with huge cost, technical skills to maintain the infrastructure and sometimes infrastructure comes with the risk of taking the place of humans which is another reason for resistance to transformation. Sometimes businesses have needs that do not yet have infrastructure available to handle them. This is a huge challenge to transformation.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities How do you define the term transformation? Transformation, in my opinion, is the process and consequently the ability to encourage, inspire and motivate management and employees to innovate and create change that will help grow and shape the future success of the company.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation is a subset of business

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

In 2020 my goals are to break new grounds. Improve our security and reduce our risks to lowest acceptable level. Security is supreme priority. By default, I check security concerns from the beginning of the project.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Top project is to begin a new IT security certification for the organization that takes it to a whole new level in our Cybersecurity and Risk Management culture. This will compel us as a company to embark on major

upgrades in our architecture.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? My expectation from vendors and solution providers is that they should rapidly move along with our ever-evolving world. A new technology today can be obsolete next month and in other to match the smartness of fraudsters and stand qualified to compete in the global landscape rapid transformation, vendors and service providers must move along with the rapid changes happening in our technology and business world.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? If given a chance, I would like to change leadership perceptions in the industry. EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP. A leadership with a visionary mindset, and the prowess to sell the vision clearly to the rest of the team members, and the dexterity to motivate team members to passionately carry the vision along is crucial for the success of any company. I am sufficiently convinced that the problem in the industry is not finance or manpower but leadership. If we have leadership with vision and clarity of purpose and mission, we will worry less about sponsoring transformation and training manpower. Many times, the issues left at the mercy of IT staff are hardly just IT problems. IT Security and Risk Management are not technology issues. THEY ARE BUSINESS PROBLEMS. Se we need leadership that understands the crux of the matter and will understand the concept of aggregating risk, knowing that a loophole in one department is a danger to the entire company. Again, I will insist everything rises and falls on leadership.

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS TO KEEP PACE

Business transformation depends on inventing a new business model, which is a new way of making a profit and creating value. So enterprises should apply the beforehand mentioned concepts to differentiate between both terms.

according to market & industry changes and customer needs. Business transformation depends on inventing a new business model, which is a new way of making a profit and creating value. So enterprises should apply the beforehand mentioned concepts to differentiate between both terms.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

HAMZA SHIEKH,

IT HEAD, NATIONAL FACTORY FOR CAN ENDS LIMITED How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is the process of changing things to a different status. Transformation is the way of doing the same thing in a different direction with varying mindsets with add-ons. Transformation is the current trend term for digital where digital transformation is in the main agenda for almost all the companies to be able to keep pace with market changes, speed, and demand.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation is equivalent to the digitalization term, which both means to have a new business model in addition to a digital change. The new business model depends on digital infrastructure, where this infrastructure should be agile and easily accessible. Business transformation is the way of doing business differently, which should be done

THE TITANS

JANUARY 2020

The hurdles in “freedom to transform” are both a mindset and infrastructure. Enterprise leaders should be digitally educated, and they should familiarize their teams to have a digital cultural change in the workplace first. Then, a digital leader is required who owns suitable skills and a digital mindset to lead the change. Likewise, the infrastructure is related to money investment. It is essential to have the right infrastructure to support business services. Failing to choose the right digital infrastructure may lead to a complete shutdown for the service and business as a result. So, both concepts are essential to achieve a successful digital transformation.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities There are many goals and priorities for 2020 year such as: l Reduce the expenditures of IT department by presenting new solutions for the same services. l Increase the availability of systems comparing to previous years. l Invest in cloud technologies. l Get rid of paper work.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? n  Have a more virtualized environment by

reducing the physical server’s quantity. n  Having a more secure infrastructure and systems to avoid performance issues and downtime. n  Having an interactive website to support the marketing and sales team. n  Invest in an ERP system to map business processes accurately and have more- friendly, easy-to-use user interfaces. n  Invest in documentation management system DMS

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? I am expecting a considerable competition and support as recently many solution providers have started their business with competitive advantages such as prices and speed of work. Vendors become more business-oriented, and we have a bunch of services with different flavors for each vendor. Many solutions and many features are out there; we need to choose what suits our business and budget. Some vendors need to restudy their price list, as the price is one of the crucial factors according to the market situation these days.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Everything starts from the learning point. All sciences should be taught properly with clear examples and ways. If the chance is given for me to change something in the digital and IT industry, I will change the education process, where I will not allow any university to graduate any student without making sure that this student is ready for the market and real world. Moreover, I will make sure this student has the “up-to-date” knowledge, which can support him/her to find the job quickly even before graduation.

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TRANSFORMATION IS ENHANCING EXPERIENCE Tdigital transformation is the tool and process implemented for the support and to enhance the business transformation. It uses digital technologies to build or modify an existing processes or service or customer experiences.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

HASHIM ISMAYIL,

IT MANAGER, HYATT REGENCY AL KOUT MALL How do you define the term transformation? I would like to define the term transformation that something significantly better than the existing form. I would also say something more efficient or effective for the process or for the people.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? I think business transformation is the fundamental changes in culture or in process of an organization aiming to accelerate change and growth beyond typical incremental advancements. It can be based on the market or stakeholders interest. Whereas digital transformation is the tool and process implemented for the support and to enhance the business transformation. It uses digital technologies to build or modify an existing processes or service or customer experiences.

I believe peoples mind set and build or modifying infrastructure are the main hurdles once we look into or during in a transformation. We like routines, it’s a human nature that make us feel comfortable. Most of the employees are not at all interested to come out from their comfort zone. DT is vital to a company, sometime it is very challenging that to clear doubt and uncertainty from employees’ minds, but we can certainly change them by being consistent and transparent about the transformation process. Keep our employees informed and involved through the whole process. Train them and build a strategic plan. Whereas Building suitable infrastructure is the key component for digital transformation process. Few companies would like to build their own infrastructure for the privacy and security. It is likely that we will face budgetary limitations that may limit any part of our digital transformation journey. We should aware and prepared to overcome the situation otherwise fulfilling the real DT experience may vary and our entire process may affected by if there is no proper financial management in place.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities My 2020 personal goal is to expand and gaining new technology experiences from IT industry, I am concentrating on to get certified in Cyber security platform by Feb 2020. Once talk about my 2020 job level priorities that exclusively related to our Hotel property renovation. It is going on and my priority is to achieve all the technology changes and new installa-

tions by middle of 2020.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? I have many projects related to my property renovation, recently we have replaced all our back bone network devices with Cisco. Our Wireless infrastructure and IPTV system implementation is going on. Planning to upgrade telephone system with brand new IP telephones and features by 2020.Also there are few technology related changes and upgrades are in pipeline.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? I believe choosing the right vendor/solution provider is choosing the right group to team up with for our smooth operation as well as for our business success for now and in future. I am always expecting from a vendor to have collaborative relationship and reliable support. They must be Experts of what they are providing and must have updated knowledge of best practices in industry.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? I am working in hospitality industry, I believe there should be a team work required for to do make any changes effectively for the company or in industry. I think I will work more on how to change people’s mentality towards the adaptation of technology transformation. I believe in colleagues or people for the success of any transformation. I will analyses and adopt best technology practices which will fasten the IT transformation process in the industry.

JANUARY 2020

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TRANSFORMATION IS IMPROVING PERFORMANCE The biggest hurdle is mindset, people get scared from new changes, specially established business owners and stakeholders, they fear the use of new technology and this can sometimes lead to major business loss or even going out of the competition or market.

tion. On the other hand, business transformation could mean changing processes, systems, work flows, and people to meet new regulations, improve effectiveness and achieve more measureable results as per stakeholder’s requirements.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

HASSAN ISAM,

INFORMATION SECURITY ASST. MANAGER, KUWAIT FINANCE HOUSE BAHRAIN

Looking on how fast technology is moving, I feel that the biggest hurdle is mindset, people get scared from new changes, specially established business owners and stakeholders, they fear the use of new technology and this can sometimes lead to major business loss or even going out of the competition or market. We saw many examples in recent years about this issue like Nokia, Kodak and other business who feared change and lost everything.

How do you define the term transformation?

Define your 2020 goals and priorities

It depends on where you are using the term, if we are speaking in general, then it means change, from one state or shape to another, it can mean creating something new, like a process or idea, in technology we use the world transformation when we create new product, new innovation that can re shape the way people and business use technology.

Creating new business solutions based on Fintech and BlockChain is the highest priority for me in 2020 plus securing the new technology infrastructure and update all related business processes. Moving my infrastructure to the cloud is also another important goal for me in 2020. We are now automating all banking related process starting from KYC to creating and opening new deals and accounts. Peer to peer banking is also one of the new goals to be achieved in 2020. We also consider tokenization technology based on BlockChain to provide new services, products and enhance customer onboarding journey.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation can mean the use of technology to create or modify business to perform or automate processes in order to speed up work, enhance the quality, gain more profits and increase customer satisfac-

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JANUARY 2020

What would be the top/key project implementations that

you would be looking for? New business solutions utilizing the BlockChain technology and Fintech will be a must, projects related to security and cloud are also required. Securing my business and infrastructure using the latest PAM (Privileged Access Management) solutions and controlling access to the cloud using the best CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) solutions especially for new Fintech and BlockChain products. Security Operation Center enhancement will be a great challenge to enhance security detection, threat intelligence and incident response.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Provide proper solutions that can meet my business requirements and implement them after proper planning and designing. The new solutions must enhance my current state and create new better one so I can say that I really transformed my business. All current and new vendors must be knowledgeable and work with highest quality. Innovative relationship is very important factor, the vendor must collaborate with us and share risks related to the projects in a clear way in order to solve them as soon as possible, vendor must keep improving the provided services and add value to my business. The final important things are consisting work results and affordable costs of services.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Eliminate all manual paper work and replace it with automated BlockChain based technologies especially for government applications and processes.

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JAWAD ALAWI,

DIRECTOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, START SERVICES IT BUSINESS SOLUTION

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JANUARY 2020

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TRANSFORMATION IS THE ART OF UNDERSTANDING RESULTS The barriers for transformation are mixed between infrastructural readiness to capitalize on new tools and system, with mindset that is attached to the current processes and tools.

Transformation, it is the art of understanding the results without being influenced by the current ways, methods and tools that are usually used to achieve those results. And consequently influencing the results. People usually are immersed in tools and methods, and rarely question them constructively to achieve results in a better way. Until an innovator produce simple changes or new tool that completely change the way to get those results. Exposing people hidden needs and serving them using new tools is innovation, while changing methods and tools to serve those known needs in transformation. For example, social media mobile app WhatsApp is innovation and transformation, it transformed the way people exchange personal messages and provided innovative way for private group messaging. Before WhatsApp and some other tools, people were using SMS messages, emails, bulletin boards, internet forums to exchange private messages and group messages. Business transformation is shifting business models, and revenue generation models from using costly long processes, and tools, to new revenue generation models using more advanced tools and shorter processes. While digital transformation is changing the tools and technology used by businesses to achieve certain results. Using digital transformation businesses and can transform their business and revenue models, and also use them to invent new revenue models. Digital transformation focus on building more intelligence in tools and systems to produce better results, reduce time, and increase efficiency, which we name “Artificial Intelligence”. The barriers for transformation are mixed between infrastructural readiness to capitalize on new tools and system, with mindset that is attached to the current processes and tools.

2019 was the starting year for digital banking on the region. In 2020 and beyond, banking will start to embrace the branchless banking. Again it is not a branchless banking. Again, we we are using the wrong terms to describe digital banking, because we are used to use branches and ATM’s traditionally. With digital banking, the new norm will be digital for everything, and the abnormal will be going to branch or ATM for doing a transaction, just take a look at fax today, do you consider it normal to send a fax, while it was the norm before 20 years, and email was the exception. The transformation from fax to email happened slowly, unlike the transformation from SMS to social media mobile apps, the transformation happened almost instantaneously. My priority and focus in 2020, is to emphasize more on transforming the KYC process, and customer onboarding to the Financial institutions, and let me elaborate more here. KYC Process (Know Your Customer) is the process of onboarding new customers on banks, and financial institutions, and then invoking the AML (Anti-Money Laundry) verification procedures. The traditional process of customer registration to open banking, trading account is long, tedious, and overwhelming to the banking sector. It is full of manual work, manual validation steps. The recent initiatives from some of the financial institutions to digitize this process, was very basic and painful. Those who tried to digitize KYC process, focused on the current process itself, and tried to shift the current processes to be digital based instead of human based. From the first look, it is innovation, however, once you deep dive into the process, you will find it more painful to the customer, and very, very long compared to the traditional onboarding process. In order to transform the KYC process on Financial Institutions, we need to regenerate the whole process. Instead of asking the cus-

tomer to upload two copies of two different ID’s, we need a method with standardized process to let the customer retrieve his/her digitally verified personal ID through digital verification process like Blockchain. Using digitally signed profiles, can cut the whole process significantly. As per the mandatory regulatory procedure of manual verification to match documents with the person, this process can be replaced with another personal signature verification (thumbnail with blood flow, retina verification, etc) through real time process without another human involvement. Such transformation will cut down the onboarding process dramatically, and reduce total time of AML verification, and background history review from days to minutes. However, and we need to say however, it is the infrastructure readiness issues, and people mindset to accept such new ways, that changes the whole process completely and replace it with new innovative way that makes every other current process a history. Current infrastructure and systems readiness is not yet ready to provide authenticated personal records with verified signatures, and public infrastructure that provide trusted digital validation mechanism. Also, the current public records does not provide digital data to validate and verify people. In the coming future, I would like to see more initiatives from the private sector in cooperation with government sector to provide authenticated digital ID’s utilizing technology like blockchain that can govern certified ID’s with high level of security protection to prevent fraud. The value we can gain in the Financial Sector by transforming the KYC onboarding process is massive, as such infrastructure will pave the way to have more applications on top of it to fight fraud, and provide true digital experience.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY A business to survive needs constant changes. Hence, technology becomes the basic ingredient for its survival. Introducing technological revolution in a business for its survival and growth and to take the business to the next level of innovation is the business transformation.

Transformation is a process of changing the current status of something to a more innovative, productive and efficient state, it can be in digital form or even in manual form.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

KHALID RASHID,

SENIOR GROUP ICT MANAGER INFORMATION & COMM. TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, GARMCO

A business to survive needs constant changes. Hence, technology becomes the basic ingredient for its survival. Introducing technological revolution in a business for its survival and growth and to take the business to the next level of innovation is the business transformation. In this journey of business transformation, technology also transforms in order to support the business transformation journey.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

How do you define the term transformation? There are multiple definitions available for Transformation. Everyone tried defining transformation for their own interest or from their own point of view. According to me I see

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JANUARY 2020

The current advancements and the speed at which advancements in technologies are happening, has become a challenge to almost all to cope with it. This rapid growth is forcing the business transformation fast as well. Hence the demand and supply working hand-in-hand in this era. In my view, although business wants to change and the supporting technologies are available but either the economy is slowing down and businesses are not able to predict their future for additional technological investments, or the training/skill gap has become has become so wide, that the rollouts are being delayed.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities For a manufacturing organization, the ultimate goal is to achieve Industry 4.0 compli-

ance. Hence, all projects are selected with the priorities to achieve the said goal. So far the digital and business transformations have been challenging but exciting, and would like to continue the transformation journey in 2020 as well.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? We had started a mission for 100% consolidation and standardization globally. We have achieved a great success in our mission already and now working on more innovation to our global business and processes. Currently we are exploring the best and most use of Artificial Intelligence based applications and 3D printing feasibilities for cost control purpose.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Although we prefer to continue executing projects in-house, but I would expect the vendors to come up with industry specific solutions that can readily solve an industry problem, rather than open ended solutions which needs expensive retrofitting.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? In Today’s era where business transformation is critical for the survival of any business, it’s time for the organization Board to ensure they include their CIOs at decision making process. CIOs should be made a permanent member at board level committees. Traditional reporting lines, speed of change, authority to do are the major show stoppers and hurdles for CIOs and their teams to perform and deliver.

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TRANSFORMATION IS REACHING DIGITAL MATURITY Digital Business is the new world, existing organization should learn how to transform their existing successful traditional business that lasted decades into a digital business environment to survive the digital era, they need to be disrupted internally before they get disrupted externally. What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

MAHMOOD AL ADARJ,

SENIOR MANAGER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BAHRAIN NATIONAL HOLDING How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is all about scaling and refining the organization digital initiatives to reach to an acceptable digital maturity that makes the organization stands out compared to its peers in the industry. From an insurance sector, there are huge opportunities available to stand-out, it just need the right investment in the right technology along with organizations eager to change and to transform.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? I wouldn’t differentiate between these terms but I will go for “digital Business transformation”, Digital Business is the new world, existing organization should learn how to transform their existing successful traditional business that lasted decades into a digital business environment to survive the digital era, they need to be disrupted internally before they get disrupted externally.

I believe it’s a mix of both and even more, mindset or Human hurdles varies in different levels of the organization, starting from the board/executive management passing by the middle management and ending with the operational staff. Authority plays major factor in each level, starting from setting up the budget for digital (that is difficult to measure its ROI, especially in the short term where it is expected to be reflected on the quarterly or annual financials) followed by the authority of each department where they could add obstacles in term of collaboration. Another hurdle is the difficulty of getting the right specific digital skills or even the difficulty in upskilling the existing staff who are working on their comfort zone and afraid of losing their jobs if they can’t learn new skills. Moreover, hurdles could be from managers losing their business experienced staff but not-digitally skilled and will be disrupted by the digital initiatives. On the other side, the technology in term of old infrastructures and legacy systems could be a hurdle to meeting the digital needs where capabilities, performance, flexibility and agility are required to meet the “Now” needs, such as “I want the report now”, “I want to insure now”, “I want to buy now”. Even moving to cloud solution may not help in replacing legacy systems unless it’s completely restructured or additional layer of technology is added, and this leads into additional unplanned cost.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities Being in the insurance industry which is globally lacking behind the banking industry when it comes to transforming the business, Overhauling or replacing our core system is

undergoing with significant challenges and large investment, but it’s a necessary step to prepare a solid ground to build and enhance the digital capabilities we are looking for. Core system replacement started last year and going in production in 2020Q1 which was the main priority for 2019 and 2020. And will be followed by enhancing the customer experience and internal operational excellence.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Following the core system replacement, and to achieve 2020 goals, digitizing several manual identified processes from back-office perspective by implementing RPA (Robotic Process Automation) bots is on top of the priorities. And integrating these RPAs to AI Chatbots working on omnichannel to have an outstanding customer experience. This will be complemented with the creation of new products that meets the digitally savvy customers.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Most of the technology vendors and solutions providers are great in providing highly capable technologies, but many of them lack industry experience or real implementations. Insurance knowledge is on top of my expectation when I select a solution provider, and such solution provider will have my preference of choice.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Two things: Culture and Skillset, the ability to execute the digital transformation process is highly dependent on cultural challenges and technical challenges. Both these challenges affects the closure of the gap between ambition and reality.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS REDEFINING PROCESSES Digital transformation is about major change to an organization’s use of processes, services. and Business transformation is about major change to how an enterprise’s product functions and provides. services.

How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is the process of using with technologies to create new or modify existing business processes, customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

MICHEAL SELVA KUMAR, IT MANAGER, GOLDEN TULIP NIZWA HOTEL

Digital transformation is about major change to an organization’s use of processes, services. and Business transformation is about major change to how an enterprise’s product functions and provides. services.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

Higher authority should not differentiate between higher and lower level staffs. Should not pressurize them. Workers suggestion, ideas should be taken for consideration. Owners mind set will be to save more profit. So infrastructure would remain as the major hurdle .

Define your 2020 goals and priorities As I am working in Hospitality Industry, I am planning to give our hotel guests a safe and secure stay using digital technologies and using them to the optimal level.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Entire setup to be converted to cloud to save the data losses. Anywhere easy access. To create fearless atmosphere.

TRANSFORMATION IS BUSINESS GROWTH he word transformation is unfortunately weak in its ability to encapsulate the realities of change and business growth, which is why people sometimes reference three different but related aspects of transformation interchangeably. How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is the strategic adoption of Process that improve processes, productivity, customer and employee experience, and manages.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

MOHMAD MAHMOUD,

IT DIRECTOR, EID LABIB GROUP

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JANUARY 2020

The word transformation is unfortunately weak in its ability to encapsulate the realities of change and business growth, which is why people sometimes reference three different but related aspects of transformation interchangeably. Business transformation encompasses the

cultural shift and business processes driven by changing market demands; i.e., the company’s culture of change and business drivers. Digital transformation encompasses the tools and processes implemented to support business transformation; i.e., applications. IT transformation is the reassessment and overhaul of information technology to support digital transformation; i.e., infrastructure.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Both.

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TRANSFORMATION IS MODIFYING CULTURE FOR EFFECIENCY We have to differentiate between change and transformation, change uses external efforts and external influences to modify actions, while transformation modifies beliefs and culture within the organization so actions become natural and thereby achieve the desired result and this will place the business of the organization into the expected growth curve.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

MOHAMED ADEL ABU HASSAN,

DIRECTOR INFORMATION SYSTEM DIRECTORATE, MINISTRY OF WORKS,MUNICIPALITY AFFAIRS AND URBAN PLANNING

How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is a process of fundamental and profound modification that directs an organization in a new direction and takes it to an entirely different level of effectiveness and efficiency. We have to differentiate between change and transformation, change uses external efforts and external influences to modify actions, while transformation modifies beliefs and culture within the organization so actions become natural and thereby achieve the desired result and this will place the business of the organization into the expected growth curve.

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JANUARY 2020

igital Transformation, means looking at your organization’s long-term goals and identifying how you can eradicate unnecessary steps within processes in order to drive the future business growth of the organization. It is the process of using digital technologies to create new or modified existing business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business behavior and customer requirements. Business Transformation, on the other hand, is the process of radically changing the systems, processes, people and technology across a whole business or business unit, to achieve measurable improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and stakeholder satisfaction. For example, Business Process Reengineering (BPR) or Business Process Automation (BPA) is the act of streamlining current business processes by utilizing software to automate routine functions, making them easier, faster, and less cost to manage. Such an activity may comprise a single department within an organization to move from the traditional working methodology of spreadsheets and files into a new automated system. Then the department will work with lesser manpower and still deliver products or services with same or better quality.

nology challenges but not to be considered as hurdle, such as legacy systems, security, big data analytics, machine learning, etc.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities 1. Lower time to market for the new services; 2. Lower cost of ownership and lower cost to introduce changes in the business; 3. Employee satisfaction; and 4. Customer satisfaction.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Phase II of the digital transformation journey, by implementing a unified platform on the cloud computing that interconnects all the relevant government and private sectors and individual stakeholders through an open, vendor independent platform and including the following strategic characteristics: n Customer-Centricity; n Intelligence; n Internationally interoperability; n Transparency; n Design around the concept of Service Oriented Enterprise (SOE).

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? To understand our needs and expectations, and to work strategically with us.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry?

It is more a mindset hurdle, because it requires changing the belief, culture and customer experiences which is so hard, however there are also infrastructure and tech-

To adopt the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics for government services within municipalities’ affairs, agriculture affairs & marine resources, and animal wealth affairs.

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TRANSFORMATION IS TO SERVE BETTER

The inventions should be well crafted and designed without any vulnerabilities. No matter how good and easy the technology is in place, it should be justified for no errors.

Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? I would say it is Mindset hurdle. That is one of the barriers for the freedom to transform. No matter how good the technology is, organizations will still face challenges in their people when implementing new innovations where the mindset hurdle will not allow.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities

MOHAMED NIROZ,

IT HEAD, ABDUL RAHMAN KANOO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL How do you define the term transformation?

1. Establishing thought leadership for driving digital transformation 2. Keep the organization safe (cybersecurity/ cyber resilience/GDPR or PDPL compliance/ data protection compliance) 3. Data analytics/data quality 4. Supply chain digitization 5. Increasing digital footprint.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for?

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new — or modify existing — business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements.

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2. Cybersecurity 3. Machine Learning (ML) 4. Internet of Things (IoT) 5. Blockchain

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider?

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’?

1. Knowledge 2. Quality 3. Accountability 4. Continuous Improvement 5. Risk Sharing 6. Consistency 7. Cost Improvement/Containment

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? As we enter 2019, innovation and readiness

have become essential competitive elements for any organization, regardless of industry. Global technology, media, and telecommunications industry leader and global technology sector leader, companies need to take even greater advantage of cloud platforms that make powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tools and services available to wide ranges of users. These tools are helping accelerate experimentation, innovation, boost agility, and power the organizations’ digital transformation journeys. Technology companies may have a particularly daunting task in 2019 as they try to address their customers’ privacy concerns. This challenge is growing quickly as the number of people adopting social media. However, these users are “very confident” that social media companies protect their data. Another major area of concern is cybersecurity and awareness—A risk and reality of the digital era that should be proactively managed. To remain competitive, companies can’t stop innovating due to cybersecurity worries. Yet, some are doing just that. In many cases, companies could be wellserved to leave cybersecurity management to large cloud providers and other vendors that have more extensive experience and resources. The inventions should be well crafted and designed without any vulnerabilities. No matter how good and easy the technology is in place, it should be justified for no errors. Hacking is one of the concerned areas that each future innovator should consider uncovering to overcome from it. The security and defense in depth concepts should have been thought before the innovations are introduced. And the use of technology is intended for the right mean. “Technology should be improved to serve our lives better, but not to destroy”

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS ACHIEVING BUSINESS BENEFITS The digital revolution has opened up an entirely new world of business models and opportunities for traditional enterprises willing and able to take advantage of them. What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Mindset hurdles are greater than infrastructure hurdle. When am organization decides to bring the transformation, and provides all the essential resources, infrastructure doesn’t pose any hurdle. Due to latest technological changes, infrastructure is the least hurdle.

MOHAMMAD HANIF,

SENIOR MANAGER - HEAD OF SECURITY & BCP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION GULF INVESTMENT CORPORATION How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is a very widely used term in various sectors of life. However in business terms or in an organizational context, it is a process of profound and radical change that orients an organization in a new direction and takes it to an entirely different level of effectiveness.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation is purely related to information technology that as a result brings a transformation to the business as well. All business transformations may not be as a result of digital transformation, however every digital transformation is meant to bring a transformation to the business. If it doesn’t bring, then it is a failure of digital transformation.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities I will concentrate on the following goals that will achieve the real benefits of a successful digital transformation: New business models - The digital revolution has opened up an entirely new world of business models and opportunities for traditional enterprises willing and able to take advantage of them. Cost reduction - Technology is allowing businesses to reduce their costs in so many ways. It began with the industrial revolution, as mechanized tools took the place of costly human labor. Now, AI is allowing businesses to reduce their labor costs in all sectors of industries. Employee performance - Creating a work environment where employees are able to achieve flow in their workday can result in more productivity. A significant digital transformation goal is therefore switching to digital tools that empower employees to selfserve. Compliance with data security - Data security is a major concern for businesses today. An organization’s network is only as secure as its weakest point. Once hackers are in, they can move laterally through the system. Today more devices are now internet-connected, meaning they could be hacked. Therefore data security compliance is one of their essential digital transformation goals.

What would be the top/key project implementations that 30

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JANUARY 2020

you would be looking for? A paperless office environment. Use of better tools and workflow system, a green environment can easily be created.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Selection of a vendor is very critical in digital transformation. Following points should be considered: Skills - Vendors should be experts in all facets of the hardware, software, and professional services they provide. They should have knowledge of best practices within the industry, and they should be able to leverage those best practices to provide us with breakthrough strategies. Accountability - Vendors need to be accountable for time, costs, and quality. We require of them professionalism and expertise. They must accept responsibility for all actions by their personnel. And of course, we must hold them accountable for all of their contractual and service-level commitments. Continuous Improvement - A great vendor demonstrates continuous improvement in the products and services it delivers. Continuous improvement can be achieved through service levels. But you must ensure that the service-level improvement is providing sufficient return on investment and not increasing fees. Communications - Vendors need to be proactive, communicating issues and identifying potential degradation of service levels before the situation is critical. Communicate road maps, strategic direction, issue resolution, contractual obligations, and anything that enhances the relationship.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Create more public awareness to reduce negative aspects of the digital transformation.

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TRANSFORMATION IS ALIGNING WITH BUSINESS STRATEGIES Business Transformation is a change in management strategy which can be defined as any shift, realignment or fundamental change in business operations or product line. The aim is to make changes to processes, people or systems (technology) to better align the company with its business strategy and gain market share.

terms digital and business transformation?

MOHAMMED AHMED AL DOSERI, INFORMATION SECURITY SENIOR SPECIALIST INFORMATION SECURITY UNIT KUWAIT FINANCE HOUSE (BAHRAIN)

How do you define the term transformation? n I can defined the Transformation as improvement in appearance or characteristic of something by change it completely from origin. n And term of Transformation can be applying in many ways and shape and targeted by firms and organizations.

How should enterprises differentiate between the

Before I answer this question we need to know what is business and digital transformation, Business Transformation is a change in management strategy which can be defined as any shift, realignment or fundamental change in business operations or product line. The aim is to make changes to processes, people or systems (technology) to better align the company with its business strategy and gain market share, increase revenue and customer satisfaction or reduce inefficient expenditure. While Digital Transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new or modify existing business processes or customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. So if we go back to the question is not a differentiate but a mixture of other parties to reach a new situation that did not exist before and to use of technology to achieve this.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? From my point of view is both in order to go with business transformation you need a new and powerful infrastructure and you need fresh and looking mind that can intelligently exploits this new technology.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities For me am focusing on IA, cloud, access management (PAM) and information/ cyber security controls because within three to five

years from now this is will be the focus of all vendor and all business are depending on these. And these topics are improving the business transformation a lot and you can see now in Bahrain you can open an account or to have new investment from bank while you are setting at home or to pay or transfer money using your mobile app in just a second.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? o Currently I completed major project in security incident and event management (SIEM), and I will start project for data leakage prevention (DLP) for the bank that will focus om user right, protect bank assets (Documents) and to cover newly law in Bahrain Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? I expected from vendor and solution provide to be a strategic vendor to any organization and focus on long business relationship and work Side by side to have successful digital transformation.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Replacing legacy systems and infrastructure with modern technology stacks to change the way products and services are consumed, such as moving from on-premises to cloud-based models.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS A NEXT-GEN LEAP

Some companies need to be high risk takers targeting high reward when transforming, while others decide taking low risk but need to be very flexible and open for change a recalibration.

into predicting the future possibilities and take the risk riding the wave into creating value or having breakthrough. Therefore some companies need to be high risk takers targeting high reward when transforming, while others decide taking low risk but need to be very flexible and open for change a recalibration.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

MOUNIR CHEHAB,

CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER, LEAP MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

How do you define the term transformation? Transformation by definition is a deep change touch basing in some cases core areas of a company and usually it alternates into a new better model. Transformation today is continuous and shall be adapted to newer or upcoming trends, products or services with a target of envisioning a next generation leap. Not all companies have the luxury looking

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JANUARY 2020

Define your 2020 goals and priorities For me am focusing on IA, cloud, access management (PAM) and information/ cyber security controls because within three to five years from now this is will be the focus of all vendor and all business are depending on these. And these topics are improving the business transformation a lot and you can see now in Bahrain you can open an account or to have new investment from bank while you are setting at home or to pay or transfer money using your mobile app in just a second.

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS CREATING NEW CUSTOMER AVENUES Digital transformation encompasses the tools and processes implemented to support business transformation; i.e., applications. IT transformation is the reassessment and overhaul of information technology to support digital transformation; i.e., infrastructure.

customers in ways that analog never could.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

QASIM NADEEM,

IT MANAGER, ABANA ENTERPRISES GROUP COMPANY

How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is the process of changing. An example of a transformation is a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new — or modify existing — business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. This reimagining of business in the digital age is digital transformation. Examples of digital transformation in marketing. At a high level, the goal of digital transformation in marketing is to find more customers while spending less money. ... Second, digital marketing opens the door to marketing automation, analytics tracking, and dialogue with

Business transformation encompasses the cultural shift and business processes driven by changing market demands; i.e., the company’s culture of change and business drivers. Digital transformation encompasses the tools and processes implemented to support business transformation; i.e., applications. IT transformation is the reassessment and overhaul of information technology to support digital transformation; i.e., infrastructure.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? n Inability to Change Business Culture n The budget: the organization does not always understand that in order to transform you need some budget. n The technology: legacy systems, old infrastructures or missing capabilities are also hurting a lot the transformation.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities A lot of but few I will mentioned it n Hot site for DR n AI driven solution for cyber security n Shared storage implementation n Digitalize all the manual process

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Hot site for DR and digitalization for all the process

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? n Our vendors should be experts in all facets of the hardware, software, and professional services they provide n You should get what you pay for, of course, but you also get no more than you demand. n Innovative/Breakthrough Relationship n Collaboration n Vendors need to be accountable for time, costs, and quality n A great vendor demonstrates continuous improvement in the products and services it delivers. n Your vendors to have some skin in the game, so that they will share in the success or failure of whatever project, service, or hardware they are providing. This can be achieved by putting fees at risk in the SLA, so that a vendor that does not achieve a certain score on a KPI or SLA must reduce its fees by a certain percentage. n No relationship can be successful without good communication. Vendors need to be proactive, communicating issues and identifying potential degradation of service levels before the situation is critical. But they also need to communicate road maps, strategic direction, issue resolution, contractual obligations, and anything that enhances the relationship. n Improving cost and preventing cost overruns are constant challenges when managing I.T. projects. We want our vendors to maintain fiduciary responsibility

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? If I have change I will build AI driven solution which will guide a business to mold/change according to the market needs without spending a single penny.

JANUARY 2020

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TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS ALL-ROUND IMPACT Business transformation should be treated as the source and origin of all transformation that directly influences the profitability of an enterprise. Digital transformation should be considered as a technological means to achieve the objective

changing environment. And it depends on the rate at which the environment or surrounding ecosystem changes; some of it could be ranging from minimal/incremental or even being disruptive. Transformation could come in various aspects such as process, people, technology. More often, it could be combination of all of the above or even just one of the above..

RAJESH CHANDRAMOHAN,

IT DIRECTOR, TAMIMI MARKETS How do you define the term transformation? The act of evolving to adapt and suit to the

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Business transformation should be treated as the source and origin of all transformation that directly influences the profitability of an enterprise. Digital transformation should be considered as a technological means to achieve the objective, that is, business transformation that would eventually lead to an

optimized, profit making and effective organization. Having said that, process and people are a key part to this entire mix and should probably be given equal if not more focus and attention to make the entire transformation successful.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Most of the time, it is a mindset issue whereby the ecosystem mostly influenced by the people component starts rejecting change as it becomes difficult to cope up and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Infrastructure is more of a constraint that could be managed or planned whilst changing the mindset is the most difficult, painstaking and time consuming.

TRANSFORMATION IS CREATING NEW BUSINESS DIMENSIONS Digital transformations can be considered as process to enrich the business transformation, Enterprises to consider digital as strategy. changing the existing process or practices using change management methodology by aligning people, process or technology

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformations can be considered as process to enrich the business transformation, Enterprises to consider digital as strategy.

ROY JOSEPH,

IT DIRECTOR, KUWAIT HOTELS COMPANY How do you define the term transformation? Taking an organization/a department / a function to a totally new dimension by 34

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JANUARY 2020

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Willingness of people to accept the change

Define your 2020 goals and priorities

1. Digital Transformation 2. Improve the digital footprint for business 3. Improve security of information Technology

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Enhancing e-commerce systems and digital transformation

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Security products / Integration of data security

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? stagnancy

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS CONTEXTUAL

Business Transformation is needed to combat competition or changing market conditions, government regulations and economy. Digital transformation is a tool or set of tools that helps in achieving business transformation.

set plays crucial role, there will be no transformation if stakeholders do not see the need to transform.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities My goals for 2020 are reducing cost for doing business, economy in the region is changing and that means that we need to be more efficient and cost savvy. We need to ensure that our pace of change within the organization is matching the pace of change in the environment where we are operating. We need to look for ways we never explored earlier and come up with an organization that is lean and technology driven to achieve things cheaper and faster manner so that we are competent enough.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Business process optimization, robotics probably to cut down employee cost, tool to management social media to cut down marketing spend on tradition marketing. Moving SAP to cloud, preferable managed cloud.

SAJID RIAZ,

CIO, BALSHARAF GROUP

How do you define the term transformation? Transformation means substantial change that takes you to new level of effectiveness if transformation is positive. But then we also need to see in what context we are seeing the transformation, definition will vary slightly based on the context.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Business Transformation is needed to com-

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JANUARY 2020

bat competition or changing market conditions, government regulations and economy. Digital transformation is a tool or set of tools that helps in achieving business transformation.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Accepting any change is primarily a mindset hurdle, once you are convinced on the change then there are multiple other hurdles like resources, time, and finances. But mind-

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? I expect solution providers to understand the challenge- we need to remember that transformation is to handle the economic shift in the region so it is supposed to be ROI driven.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? We need to be more business oriented, all the technical tools are for the benefit of the business, but sometimes we get so technology obsessed that we forget why we needed the technology.

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TRANSFORMATION IS ENABLING RIGHT BUSINESS DECISIONS Digital transformation and Business transformation are equally important and dependent on each other. digital transformation is a tool to Business transformation. In all cases strategic transformation is very important.

How do you define the term transformation? Evolving of human or an entity to make better world

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation and Business transformation are equally important and dependent on each other. digital transformation is a tool to Business transformation. In all cases strategic transformation is very important.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? I think Mindset is the major Hurdle in transformation, Mindset can be only changed after dedicated training and conscious Monitoring.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities To Update my skill sets is the major Goal I am looking in 2020. What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for?

SYED AMJAD,

IT MANAGER, HASSANS OPTICIAN CO.

Business analytics is the top project in my list. Where a user can get analytical data for right decision making.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? A solution provider shouldn’t be a product specific. One need to analyze the Customer Business and provide the easy solution where ever it is possible to make process easier.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? The Fear of disruption.

JANUARY 2020

THE TITANS

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS TO DRIVE INNOVATION

The challenge is most of the organizations take a leap without a full comprehension of what they want. What is in it? In addition, what they will get out of it? There is no denying the need for businesses to transform themselves, once they start scaling up. For e.g. what worked as a Startup will not work when you hit a million dollar in revenues.

ly one for the better. In terms of Business context, Transformation is a radical and positive change in the services offered by an organization or the way an organization offers it services.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation?

SAMIR PAWASKAR ,

HEAD CYBER SECURITY, POLICY AND STANDARD, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION, QATAR

Business transformation is the application of tectonic changes to an organization’s core business processes, the way it uses technology to deliver service and value to its customers and how its people engage and relate to the customers, to achieve a course change or an accelerated growth curve. Digital Transformation on the other hand is the use of technology and data to drive innovation and better business outcomes. Primarily it endeavors to achieve key business goals such as operations optimization, customer engagement and enhanced experience, increased market shares, business agility and better performance. So in a nutshell, Digital Transformation is one of the aspects of Business Transformation.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

How do you define the term transformation? By definition transformation, is a marked change in appearance or character, especial-

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JANUARY 2020

I think more than that, it is the FOMO, The Fear Of Missing Out. The challenge is most of the organizations take a leap without a full comprehension of what they want. What is in it? In addition, what they will get out of it? There is no denying the need for businesses to transform themselves, once they start scaling up. For e.g. what worked as a Startup will not work when you hit a million dollar in revenues. Having said that, IMHO it is a customized

experience, what worked for X may or may not work with Y, so organizations should be careful and thorough in their quest to transform themselves. Copy and Paste is not the strategy to follow.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities Build and Maintain the national cybersecurity framework that is pragmatic and yet current to threats and risks of the time and near future. Work closely with the constituents and drive the adoption of the national cybersecurity standards to raise the national cybersecurity posture. Help drive the country’s ranking the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? The key project that I am working on is the revamp of the National Information Assurance Framework. The project will ensure that a number of key standards are updated, along with publication of new security guidelines for the critical transportation sector.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Its wishful thinking maybe, but in spite of all the customer centric services that vendors talk about, customer satisfaction is the last thing in vendor’s mind, especially true for this region. I would expect vendors to be honest about their offerings, back it up strongly with local subject matter experts and provide enhanced value for money.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Build more accountability on the vendor side.

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TRANSFORMATION IS THINKING FAST,ACTING FAST when I think of Business Transformation, I think of 3 key elements like Digital, Enterprise and IT Functional. Given that technology plays an essential role in digital transformation, you might wonder whether digital transformation is just customer-focused IT transformation. Attempting one without the other

SUHAIL PILLAKANDI,

SENIOR IT MANAGER, CERTIS GROUP (GSS)

How do you define the term transformation? Transformation is the ability to move and think quickly and easily to move in a quick, coordinate technology. In the world of Information technology, one of the main goals of adopting and transforming to Digital is to produce working, quality Organization in short, fast increments. This often requires that teams are able to accept and implement fast, changing requirements.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Digital transformation often triggers IT transformation. The core value of IT Standard manifests itself in IT transformation and IT automation. IT transformation, on the other

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JANUARY 2020

side, is easier to understand. At all, it is mainly about technology changes. It includes changing various governance processes and revamping organizational Work to be sure, but all such changes mainly on technology. Digital transformation, in contrast, centers on the customer/clients. Not that technology isn’t important to digital transformation, of course. when I think of Business Transformation, I think of 3 key elements like Digital, Enterprise and IT Functional. Given that technology plays an essential role in digital transformation, you might wonder whether digital transformation is just customer-focused IT transformation. Attempting one without the other may be risky. Confusing them is riskier still.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? • To get the skilled IT Staff with digital skills and experience. • Financial incentives or systems which do not incentivise individuals to take required risks to create digital businesses . • A lack of sufficient understanding of what digital transformation is and who can assist with the process • The lack of a risk-taking innovation-driven organisational culture

Define your 2020 goals and priorities n Apply artificial intelligence to drive workload transformation within the IT organization and the business. n Drive relevancy by building collaboration

within and beyond traditional dimensions. n Drive relevancy by building collaboration within and beyond traditional dimensions. n Construct secure infrastructures that protect resources and assets. (Invest in Cybersecurity part)

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? n Upgrade of current IT Infrastructure n Azure Cloud Migration n Cybersecurity

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? n n n n n

Innovative/Breakthrough Relationship Collaboration Continuous Improvement Risk Sharing Cost Improvement/Containment

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Equal Employee Opportunity. Consider in the team, two people working in similar role and one having good performance and other having bad performance ,Think of the lives that could be saved. If both are equally talented, equally driven, then surely the Earth would be a better place with both able to pursue their dream. This is why I support efforts to reduce the very real barriers preventing equal access to opportunity. Wealth and privilege will always be an advantage—it’s been since time immemorial. But right now it isn’t just an advantage to achieving a dream: in too many cases, it’s a prerequisite.

TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS ADDRESSING CHANGING CUSTOMER DEMAND Digital transformation is use of digital technologies to deliver innovative solutions to support business transformation and achieve KPIs of the transformation. IT transformation is the reassessment and overhaul of information technology infrastructure to support digital transformation. nologies to deliver innovative solutions to support business transformation and achieve KPIs of the transformation. IT transformation is the reassessment and overhaul of information technology infrastructure to support digital transformation.

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle?

where n Data Analytics and Dashboards to monitor KPIs and SLAs n Smart proactive administration of the IT systems to ensure high availability and Security to address risks, threats and vulnerabilities

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? Not to be disclosed

SYED ALBEZ,

IT DIRECTOR, DAR AL ARKAN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT How do you define the term transformation? Digital transformation is the process of leveraging digital technologies to disrupt traditional industry models and business practices. Fundamentally changing how you operate and deliver value to customers by creating or modifying the business processes, bring the required cultural change to adopt, challenge new processes & solution to drive digital business. Improve customer experiences to meet changing business, market requirements and create business value and sustainable competitive advantage.

How should enterprises differentiate between the terms digital and business transformation? Business transformation is the cultural shift of business operation model with optimized & enhanced business processes driven by changing market demands. Digital transformation is use of digital tech-

Often digital transformations involve retraining, reorganization and even having the right skills to perform the role of the new business model, data analytics, data protection, etc. Infrastructure is never a hurdle and it is the mindset to accept and apply the change. Unfortunately, many feel that the technology change is first in the digital transformation, but technology is the business enabler designed to meet the core business operating model requirements to create a business value, otherwise the results may not be fruitful. A technical platform cannot deliver the expected objectives on its own. It requires fundamental changes within any organization and even requires changes concerning how other channels, touchpoints, and processes tie into this. The transformation relates to and requires changes from the entire business and not just the technology part of it.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities n  Deliver scalable, reliable, sustainable systems with lower TCO and higher ROI n Transparency and control through new enhanced business processes and digital services n  Enabling the workforce to adopt the change and deliver the key objectives n  Information Security n  Mobility to operate business from any-

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? Most of the vendors have their interest to sell and do not have any dive-deep activity to explore the opportunity, suggest options to enable the technology and business to get insight of the right option and avoid iterative implementation model, which leads to delays, changes and cost overrun. No one case that fits all businesses and therefore they need to have expert level skills with business analysis onboard and be a successful technology partner to the organization rather than a just vendor.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? If you look at the IT infrastructure, most of the products follow standards so that we can connect different systems and address the desired objective. However, in the software or applications the integration is most painful unless you have expensive middleware to connect these systems. As the Digital Transformation is a game changer now for most of the organizations, the software add-ons must be standardized to be simple, intuitive, integrated, secure, scalable; manageable by the respective business process owner and supported by IT.

JANUARY 2020

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TOP CIO IN MEA

TRANSFORMATION IS STEERING BUSINESS IN NEW DIRECTION n Fear of change n Inadequate budget n Prolonged duration n Insufficient skillset Some are mindset and some are infrastructure hurdles.

Define your 2020 goals and priorities

THALAYA ALFOZAN,

IT DIRECTOR, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, KUWAIT UNIVERSITY

What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? The hurdles are: n Inadequate authority

1. Reduce IT infrastructure and business application footprint, and reduce IT support requirements. 2. Increase automation. 3. Improve information security.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for?

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? We expect solution providers to provide proactive guidance, high level of quality services, effective collaboration, and full compliance with contractual obligation.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? Information technology industry is embarking on huge innovations which need to be ethically addressed. I would recommend to have more studies to define the ethical impact of new innovations.

Cloud adoption and cloud migration. We have started a proof of concept to determine possible issues before we start the implementation process. This will help us compare performances and assess the level of difficulty in migrating our various applications.

TRANSFORMATION IS MODERNIZING PRODUCTS able to work as efficient as they worked before. Yes, there will be some issues when you think about a change. But those are only at the beginning. I belive in this world we can achieve the infrastructure if people are willing to change

Define your 2020 goals and priorities

YEDHU VIJAYAN,

IT MANAGER, GASTRONOMICA What are the hurdles that you see in ‘freedom to transform’? Is it a mindset hurdle or infrastructure hurdle? Many people have the mindset that they are afraid of the changes, they fear they won’t be

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JANUARY 2020

Digitalization is one of the main goal for 2020. We as a team is working on certain online integration for our social media and website. Migration of PBAX device to cloud is one of them. Other than that there are some lined up network projects and O365 migration is going on.

What would be the top/key project implementations that you would be looking for? O365 Migration, Call center installation,

Online delivery platform are some key projects.

What are your expectations from a vendor/solution provider? For me after sale support and continuous interaction is the main thing. I have noticed many of the vendors are into sale. In today’s world the accessibility to any of the technology is everywhere. But when we adopt something new the first thing we would need is the continuous support. And not just sales.

If given a chance, what would be the one thing that you would like to change in the industry? I want Technology to evolve. Want to change us for our best and not to reduce our human interaction.

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