ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY
Sabby Gill is Executive Vice President at Epicor Software
Like rowers in a boat C-suite members need to work together if they are to make conflict a force for healthy business growth
to more effectiveness , but when the conflict remains hidden , confined to disagreements between only one or two key stakeholders , it can become dysfunctional .
So how can disagreements be turned into opportunities for innovation ? Ideas and opinions can be shot down if they lack enough clear data to back them up . Having access to real-time information and insight can solve this . This means that key business discussions can be based on detailed metrics rather than simple hunches or gut-feelings . Senior business executives can then propose new ideas based on facts in front of them changing the conversation from perceived issues and problems to actionable steps designed to promote business growth .
As the Epicor research reveals , it is natural to have different ideas from other members in the senior team . But it is equally important to be aware that the battles should not be based on biased agendas that can only hinder business growth .
Some CEOs have already noted the positive impact use of data can bring to ease the burden of managing business growth . The research , which questioned over 1,800 business leaders , revealed that 40 % of CEOs agreed access to information is of significant importance to them , compared to 34 % of CFOs , COOs and CIOs on average . Furthermore , 35 % of CEOs agreed that having the right technology has made growth possible . Interestingly , one-in-ten blamed a lack of technology in hindering business growth .
It is essential to be able to interpret the data you have , and make good strategic judgements based on data . But alignment of goals and information is key if the use of data is to be effective . Like rowers in a boat , C-suite members need to work together , if they are to make conflict a force for healthy business growth , says Morris .
Whilst there are many benefits to using data to inform decision-making , challenges remain . A report has found that it is possible for C-suite members to suffer from an information overload when the data cannot be used effectively , because there is just too much of it and they lack the technology to make sense of it all .
C-suite members must foster a culture of collaboration and transparency , using relevant information to build trust and tackle business challenges together .
The emergence of technology and the differing opinions within the C-suite are bound to crank up tension amongst executives . But a failure to see wider repercussions on the business can be disastrous . That does not mean differing opinions must be stunted . A healthy conflict based on data and facts can turn a tense situation into a positive experience for the business .
The journey from conflict to healthy
debates must start with the provision of accurate and relevant data . So how do businesses achieve this ?
If it is important that C-level executives are exposed to the same information , in real time , the provision of up-to-date data via intelligent software becomes invaluable . The latest enterprise resource management systems for example , can be accessed anywhere . So , whether it is the CEO at a stakeholder meeting , or a COO discussing plans with teams , it is possible for them to base their business decisions on the same information .
Once they are aligned in this way , they can discuss business priorities and concerns more effectively , changing the conversations in the boardroom and positively impacting the whole business .
20 Issue 03 INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS