LEADERSHIP IN THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ERA

Digital transformation is no longer a novel concept in business management and organizational systems. on june 15, 2021, the postgraduate training institute held a webinar entitled “mba – leadership in the digital transformation era,” broadcast live on the institute’s facebook page. during this webinar, issues regarding the current situation of digital transformation in businesses and the role of leaders in the process of development and implementation were discussed from the perspective of experts. under the guidance of Dr. Đoàn Minh Châu, deputy director of the postgraduate training institute, the program featured the participation of Mr. Đặng Việt Hùng, director of technology at smartlog, and mr. giang vũ, director of operations and technology at dhl e-commerce Vietnam.

Leadership in the digital transformation era

Postgraduate training institute’s specialized talkshow

How does the digital transformation process occur within businesses?

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, as well as the unexpected changes in society, can be clearly observed through the Covid-19 pandemic, also posing demands for businesses to design suitable management models in the digital economy era. Globally recognized brands like Google, Amazon, Netflix, and Grab are examples of companies with breakthrough products in the Information Technology field. The success of these companies stems from their ability to grasp digital technologies that are trending and creatively apply them to their business strategies.

Simply put, digital transformation is about automating tasks that were traditionally performed manually by human labor or utilizing tools and software that can support or replace human operations. Digital transformation doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire business needs to operate automatically. Sometimes, automating just a small portion of the process can make the business more efficient and productive. For example, in the past, when collecting data on DHL orders, employees entered information into Excel and used pivot algorithms to distribute the orders, then executed payment orders to each seller. Mr. Giang and his colleagues realized the repetitive nature of this task and created a tool to automate this process instead of relying on human input. Automating even a small part of the work helps businesses reduce labor costs and time significantly.

The role of leaders in the process of digital transformation within businesses

Leaders play a pioneering and essential role in the digital transformation of organizations and businesses. Firstly, they need to have an open-minded mindset and a readiness to accept and commit to change. Mr. Hùng Đặng shared from his experience at Smartlog about one of the challenges in consulting digital transformation solutions for businesses: many senior managers, especially older ones, are hesitant to digitize their businesses due to their reluctance to perform tasks on computers.

In addition, those in managerial roles within businesses need to have a deep understanding of their business areas and grasp the situations they are facing to choose the best digital solutions. Mr. Giang Vũ also shared: “There are many advanced technology products, but they may not necessarily be suitable when applied to business environments. For example, it’s challenging to introduce Amazon’s automated warehouse robot systems to Vietnam because the warehouses of e-commerce platforms in our country have low output. Persistently trying to apply machinery can lead to resource wastage.”

It’s a common viewpoint that leaders need to have broad knowledge to choose suitable tools and software for their business situations to avoid wasting resources. Mr. Hùng Đặng added: “In today’s rapidly changing world, leaders must be able to adapt quickly and respond flexibly to the pace of technological development. They must be ready to explore and experiment with new technologies and accept the associated risks. Additionally, leaders also need communication skills to connect with employees, partners, and customers.”

Continuous learning to enhance managerial vision in the Industry 4.0 era

The guests share the same belief regarding the importance of continuous learning and skill development for leaders. Both Mr. Hung Dang and Mr. Giang Vu agree that one should not stop learning once they start working, as learning is a lifelong journey. It is essential to constantly seek knowledge, broaden one’s horizons, and stay updated with emerging technological trends to keep pace with the times. Large companies and multinational corporations like DHL and Smartlog regularly organize training courses and programs for their employees, from senior leadership to staff members, encouraging active participation to enhance and update their expertise in their respective fields.

>> The Master of Business Administration program at Hoa Sen University.

From his own experience, Mr. Giang Vu shares that one of the values that the MBA program brings to him is the ability to synthesize and grasp issues comprehensively. Moreover, he can specifically assess each stage of the work to provide effective solutions for businesses. He also adds: “Many leaders in various organizations are pursuing an MBA program to update their knowledge. Through studying and networking in an environment with diverse industries, ages, and cultures, I have expanded my perspective and gained a lot of practical experience sharing. This has helped me broaden my vision and develop ideas in leadership.“

For those aspiring to managerial positions in businesses, especially young individuals, it’s essential to set specific goals and clearly define the desired career path. Mr. Hung Dang advises the audience: “To be able to manage a business, you must have the ability to manage yourself, enough determination, and courage to achieve your set goals.”