When to Introduce IT at a Growing Startup

This is a great read for any startup leader wondering when to begin investing in their company’s IT organization. As the article points out, timing is everything. Decisions such as when to hire an IT leader, when to invest in enterprise systems, and what interim solutions to use are critical …

Tesla Announces their Humanoid Robot

In case you missed it yesterday…Tesla announced that they are working on a #HumanoidRobot that uses vehicle AI. In this presentation, #ElonMusk said, “Tesla is arguably the world’s biggest robotics company.” An interesting choice of words. Musk continues on to say that he expects to have a prototype sometime next year. The race is …

Digital Transformation and the Recipe for Success: The Methodical Innovator

Do you have a methodical innovator at the helm of your digital transformation effort? In a fantastic article written by Sri Manchala, Sri explains why methodical innovators succeed in digital transformations. Digital transformation is often portrayed as bold, disruptive, and fast. But in reality, the organizations that succeed are rarely …

7 Ways to Rebuild a Failed IT Organization

Rebuilding or transforming an IT organization is one of the most challenging responsibilities a technology leader can take on. Whether the goal is to repair a broken team, recover from operational issues, or modernize an outdated function, success requires a mix of strategy, empathy, and disciplined execution. John Edwards wrote …

Boston Dynamics Atlas Robot Doing Parkour

Amazing! It’s mind-blowing to reflect on how much progress Boston Dynamics has made over the past decade. I remember watching YouTube videos of their first-generation humanoid robot back in 2009 and thinking—this is the coolest thing ever. Now imagine what we’re likely to see in the next ten years. Click …

Tech-Life Balance – Taking Back Control!

Work-life balance is a familiar concept, but in today’s world it is no longer enough. What we need now is tech-life balance. It is the healthy equilibrium between our digital lives and the real world around us. Over the past decade, I have watched technology, and especially smartphones, reshape how …

The Launch of My Wife’s Food Blog: EATwithOHASHI.com

I am excited to share the launch of my wife’s Japanese food blog, EATwithOHASHI.com. Supporting my amazing wife, a mother of two and a passionate self-taught chef, as she builds her online food business has been incredibly fulfilling. Helping her share her love of Japanese cooking with the world feels …

2019 Retail Industry Outlook

What does 2019 hold for the retail industry? Deloitte’s latest report highlights six strategies that can help retailers strengthen their competitiveness and position themselves for long-term success. Over the past two decades, many retailers have fundamentally shifted how they invest. Instead of relying on growth through new store openings, companies …

Global Powers of Luxury Goods 2019

The global luxury goods market posted solid growth in 2019, even against the backdrop of a slowing global economy. Deloitte’s Global Powers of Luxury Goods report highlights several key trends shaping the future of the industry, driven largely by digitization and the growing influence of Millennials and Generation Z. The …

The CIO’s First Day – Strategic or Operational?

I recently came across an excellent article by George Spalding on SearchCIO that captures the reality many technology leaders face on day one. He paints a very accurate picture of the first encounter between a new CIO and their internal business partners. You might expect that first meeting to revolve …

Operational CIO vs Strategic CIO

This infographic provides a great comparison between the traditional operational CIO and the strategic CIO that many leading companies now need. In my experience, far too many organizations still rely heavily on operational CIOs, and the well-known 80/20 budgeting model remains the norm: 80 percent spent on maintenance and only …

Emotional Intelligence: A Must-Have Skill for the Global Workplace

Over the years, having held leadership roles in global organizations, I’ve learned a great deal about what it truly takes to manage remote teams effectively. Motivating employees halfway across the world requires a very different set of skills than managing those sitting a few desks away. It demands intentional communication, …