In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Eric Lamarre, a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of the book Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI. Eric Lamarre shares his fascinating journey from engineering and oceanography to becoming an expert in data, analytics, and AI as a consultant for McKinsey. He discusses the importance of digital transformations in organizations and the pitfalls many companies face in achieving their desired results.
Throughout the episode, Eric Lamarre emphasizes the crucial role of alignment in AI and digital transformation. He highlights the need for organizations to align control functions and operational procedures to manage risk and capture value effectively. Using examples from the airline and banking industries, Eric Lamarre illustrates how failure to align these aspects can hinder the success of technological implementation in support of organizational strategy.
Eric Lamarre emphasizes the importance of collaboration and coordination among teams, such as supply chain, sales, HR, finance, and risk management, to successfully implement the transformation. Eric Lamarre then delves into the importance of business problem-solving, building and transforming IT organizations, rethinking digital strategy, and the significance of people transformation in digital transformation. Finally, Eric Lamarre provides valuable insights and practical advice for leaders on how to get started on their digital and AI transformation.
Some Highlights:
- Why unlocking the potential of AI and digital transformation requires alignment across all aspects of the organization, making it the ultimate corporate team sport.
- Understanding the root causes of digital transformation failures and what leaders need to do to achieve their transformation goals.
- How starting with the problem and then finding the right technology solution can support successful digital transformation.
- Why building a solid bench of talent within the organization is essential for successful digital transformation.
- The most common reasons for the failure of digital transformation initiatives.
- Why people transformation is a critical component of digital transformation and how to do it right.
- How to embed technology in the organization's strategy and culture rather than treat it as a special project.
- The importance of effective organizational structure and mindset to digital transformation.
- The value of visiting and studying companies outside of your industry.
- Why collaboration and accountability are key in digital and AI transformation.
Connect with Eric Lamarre
Eric Lamarre at McKinsey & Company (https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/eric-lamarre)
Eric Lamarre on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-lamarre/)
Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI on McKinsey.com (https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/rewired)
Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Rewired-McKinsey-Guide-Outcompeting-Digital/dp/1394207115)
Additional Partnering Leadership Conversations Referenced:
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website (https://mahantavakoli.com/)
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/)
Partnering Leadership Website (https://www.partneringleadership.com/)
