Tuesday, 3 April 2018
Business and technology are inseparable, and managers must know how to lead and drive digital transformations in their teams, departments or organisations. New, short digital leadership programmes for business professionals at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) can help these managers to provide better advice and turn digital disruptions from threats into opportunities – in their own organisations.
“We live in a highly connected world that is filled with digital technologies, social media, mobile devices, Internet-of-Things, smart cities, and connected cars,” says Ting Li, Endowed Professor of Digital Business at RSM. “This has created new opportunities across industries as companies innovate to meet changes in consumer demand, and has given rise to new business challenges.”
Profit from digital technologies
The professor said companies are increasingly considering how they can use and profit from the development of digital technologies. But their distinctive nature gives rise to many issues different from those encountered when developing and managing traditional information technologies, she said.
“To effectively compete in today’s digital landscape, organisations must leverage digital and social platforms that make it easier for consumers to access relevant and timely information, connect with people they care about, and willingly engage in brand-building behaviour,” said Professor Li.
Digital transformation in practice
“We’ve heard so many professionals say they want to learn how to be prepared for disruptions in this digital revolution,” says Hans Horstink, director of executive programmes at RSM. Horstink said that managers need to process and make sense of this change, and deal with it in their business context. “We have excellent faculty members ready and eager to share their research and insights on digital transformation topics.”
The courses, offered by RSM Executive Education, cover digital analytics, digital strategy, digital innovation, and digital leadership and change. Participants can bring digital transformation challenges from their own organisation into the sessions so they can share ideas and create action plans together.
The four modules can be followed separately. When participants complete at least three modules, they will receive a diploma in digital transformation.
Digital analytics for old and new problems
“The recent exponential growth in data generation and storage has created major technical and managerial challenges, but has also opened a wealth of opportunities for approaching old and new problems,” says Dr Rodrigo Belo, who leads the three-day Digital Analytics track. “New developments in tools, techniques, and approaches require new ways of thinking. This programme will bring managers up to speed in the digital analytic way of thinking.”
Dr Belo says participants will first learn the language of data analytics, how to ask the right questions, and how to act upon the results obtained. “I’m also very excited about exchanging experiences, problems and solutions concerning data and analytics. I believe this programme will be an extremely enriching experience for everyone involved,” he said.
Innovative digital strategy
The three-day Digital Strategy module is led by Professor Ting Li. She said participants will learn concepts and principles related to new business models supported by innovative use of digital, social and mobile technologies. The course will draw examples from a wide range of business transformations over the last few years, including the impact of digital advertising, mobile marketing, social media, digital platforms, crowdfunding, and big data analytics.
“Professionals will also get exposed to digital and social analytics explore how to make organisations more intelligent in how they conduct business in the digital age,” Prof. Li said, adding that participants will be prepared to incorporate digital insights into their own organisation as a manager, consultant, analyst, technologist, or entrepreneur.”
In addition to academics, practitioner speakers will also illustrate how digital analytics and digital strategy are applied in practice.
Modules of the Diploma Programme in Digital Transformation can be taken as stand-alone courses or as the complete diploma programme. The first two modules – Digital Analytics and Digital Strategy – are scheduled to start on 23 May and 30 May 2018 respectively.
See the original article at: https://www.rsm.nl/about-rsm/news/detail/14289-turning-digital-disruptions-from-threats-to-opportunities/