Meet Josh.

Enter 2020. Traditional organizations are quickly becoming aware of the potential cataclysmic impacts brought on by ‘digital’. What most remain unaware of is what ‘digital’ truly is. Digital is not a noun, it is a verb. There is no one definition depicting digital as a ‘place’ or ‘thing’ – it’s truly what you do. It defines the essence of the organization – exploring digital, doing digital, becoming digital, being digital. Digital means a state of mind, a complete redefinition of what we do and how we act in the world. Digital means hard decisions made with more risk than the CFO is comfortable with. So how can you fully embrace this complete transformation of business, operational and customer models?

Imagine your CEO stops by your office, giving the direction to “transform – now!”. Where do you start? Now, envision ‘Amazonibaba’ just bought your largest competitor; what is your first move? How comfortable are you fielding a call from your largest customer? How about when that same customer informs you that you are not in compliance to their blockchain-enabled supplier requirements? If you answered “I don’t know” to any of these questions, relax, you’re not alone.

When reflecting on my current role, I have often been asked to address similar questions, across 6 continents, 12 time zones and 4 business units – all within the most complex portions of an $8B global business. Approaching every challenge as a distinct and unique program is critical – there is no ‘digital pill’ that works the same for every business.

My success as a startup CEO taught me that total business transformation is complex - so let’s simplify things, together.

Considering the rate in which incumbents are being disrupted by a rapidly emerging digital landscape, rewriting the rulebook is step one. 

Governance, processes and policy were designed around the ‘old-ways’. Interestingly, this evolving space is comparable to a new-age ‘wild-west’, with digital teams appointed as stewards of a new city – the sheriffs, lawyers, judges, juries and executioners. Constraining and binding them with too much ‘federal’ overreach will lead to a ghost-town – where no one stays, and nothing gets done.

Through my experiences, I have developed a proven strategy and digital framework, aligned across region, line of business, people and process. Focus on ‘doing technology things’ does not make you digital. Bold executives who redefine culture becomes a match that ignites the flame that launches transformation. This is easily the most radical change; gone are the days of delegating and conferring, now are the days of empowering and collaborating. Success is mixing quick wins and failures together in this strange new ‘bizarro world’, developing the foundations to grow the organizations ‘digital DNA’.

Ultimately, shifting customers into an extension of your salesforce is the reason you need to transform – if you can turn customer experience into your distinct competitive advantage, you take gold in the ‘digitalympics’. You can train and enter as many fields in the competition as you wish, but you are always best positioned to win at what makes up your core – and your current customers are at the center of it all. The method in which you leverage your core may change, but it is infused with something new - digital DNA - which guides the organization through this new game.

The key to unlocking digital is simple - leadership. It is not about buzzwords and tech-speak - it is about finding ways to deliver outstanding results for everyone involved. Reimagining a business is a tall order, and with my experience, style and attitude I have helped countless people, organizations and teams (like you) lead a memorable and effective transformation.

Hockey, hockey, hockey. I'm passionate about developing people, and have leveraged my experiences playing at a collegiate level to build a program to coach at-risk youths in Detroit's "Clark Park". The program is still ongoing today with generous support from USA hockey, the Detroit Red Wings and countless other community partners.

I also have a loving family that not only supports my work and passions, but also loves to have a great time as well. When we are able, we love traveling and touring new places together.

To level-set myself, I am also an avid outdoorsman. I find the ability to connect to the outdoors as a great 'yin' to my digital 'yang'.. Hunting, fishing, camping and offroading are all the things you can find me doing while the Michigan seasons are in full-swing.

I've been truly blessed to travel across the globe for both business and pleasure. From the natural beauty in Australia to the cultural richness across Europe - it's hard to pick a single favorite.