After thirty years in technology services, I've seen companies transform themselves in remarkable ways. The patterns of success — and failure — are often predictable.
The Fundamentals
Successful services transformation comes down to a few core principles:
- People first — technology services is ultimately a people business
- Client outcomes — focus relentlessly on delivering value to clients
- Operational excellence — efficiency enables investment in growth
- Culture — the best companies have distinctive, intentional cultures
Common Pitfalls
What often goes wrong:
- Chasing growth without profit — scale without margin is unsustainable
- Neglecting talent — your people are your product
- Technology for technology's sake — tools should serve the business
- Ignoring cultural fit in acquisitions — this destroys value faster than anything
The Opportunity
Technology services remains a compelling sector. Digital transformation continues to drive demand, and the companies that execute well will thrive.
This is the first in a series on services transformation.