Are you hungry for change?

       In my last article, I shared the outcome of IBM's 2008 Global CEO Study. It seems, from this, that the business world has taken a 180-degree turn, and the world is becoming instrumented, interconnected and intelligent. So, how can organisations of different sizes, across different industries and geographies, become enterprises of the future?
       The enterprise of the future has been identified as one capable of changing quickly and successfully. Instead of merely responding to trends, it shapes and leads them. It sees market and industry shifts as a chance to move ahead of its competition.
       In fact, the enterprise of the future is hungry for change.
       In IBM's 2008 Global CEO Study, eight out of 10 CEOs said their organisations were facing substantial change over the next three years. But their confidence in their ability to manage that change was not nearly as high. So how will CEOs fare in an increasingly frenetic environment? Will they be able to respond effectively?
       The main changes highlighted by the study include:
       Changes in world markets: The economices of developing nations are growing rapidly, driven by historic investments in fundamental business infrastructure. Enterprises are looking to tap skills and capabilities available all ovenr the world and to integrate their operations globally.
       Changes in information technology: A new computing architecture enables pervasive instrumentation, unprecedented computing power and advanced analytics to transform oceans of data into insight and intelligence.
       Changes in client needs: Companies are seeking to integrate advanced technology into their business processes and operations, not only to reduce costs, but also to enable innovation and growth.
       In Thailand, I have seen dramatic changes in some organisations over the past few years. They have wanted not only to change themselves, but also to lead change. Thaoland Post is a good example. It is well known for having an efficient mail delivery service. But, being innovative, they've added anothekr service - Yummy Post- to deliver Thai food from all over the country. All customers have to do is call a special Yummy Post phone number and place their order. The company can generate higher revenue from this new service.
       CP All is another interesting case. It runs Thailand's largest convenience-store chain, with more than 5,000 7Eleven stores around the country. As it operates in an increasinly "paperless" world, CP All decided to implement a new IT system to enhance the efficiency of its content-management system. The results? Its storage costs have dropped, helping CP All to reduce paper consumption. It is expected that the company will save Bt150 million within five years. The move also helps the company to save the environment, an important part of its vision as a responsible member of the Thai community.
       Clearly, an ability to lead change is becoming more critical than ever. So are you ready? Is you organisation hungry for change?
       THANWA LAOHASIRIWONG is country general manager at IBM Thailand. His articles appear in Hi! Managers on the third Friday of each month.