BUSINESS PROFILE distributed , hybrid workforce that can now work
from anywhere .
Another hot technology topic is the metaverse and the extent that this will become more pervasive in our lives . It was a topic of a recent conversation that I had with the CEO of a video publishing studio . Metaverse was one of the reasons cited by Microsoft for its planned US $ 69 billion acquisition of Activision . Beyond just gaming , we will all soon have a digital persona in a virtual world with social networks where we can work , learn , play , socialise and shop .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
The pandemic was a wakeup call for me . I was leading our crisis management team that was responsible for our company ’ s response to the pandemic , and yet my own health issues made me susceptible to falling gravely ill from COVID-19 . I was also teaching a masters-level business course at the University of Southern California and didn ’ t want a potential illness to impact my students .
I decided to make some immediate changes for a healthier lifestyle . I found over the years that exercise and a vegetarian-only diet just doesn ’ t work . And I didn ’ t have the luxury of time when hard health pivots were required in a pandemic . Instead , it took just four months to lose 30 pounds – and conquer hypertension , prediabetes and other chronic health issues – with a low-cost , simple technique summarised in two words : Eat . Less .
Today , I exercise at least five days a week – whether it ’ s lifting weights , kickboxing or playing tennis . I also spend more quality time with family and learn new recipes for meals . These changes help me manage stress more effectively and create better work-life balance .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
One of my favorite Star Trek quotes is from Captain Jean-Luc Picard who said : “ Let the dead rest – and the past remain the past .” I don ’ t dwell on second-guessing myself with ‘ what if ’ thinking on past career decisions .
More importantly is learning from those past decisions and applying them to current ones . Or as Spanish philosopher George Santayana said : “ Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it .”
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry ?
As you move from being a technology manager to a C-suite position , the ability to clearly articulate and execute on a vision and strategy for a technology-enabled business transformation is critical . This includes digital technologies that create new products , accelerate growth , delight customers , create an engaging employee experience and serve as a catalyst to disrupt entire markets .
It ’ s a fundamental shift from being solely a technologist to thinking like a business owner . Look for ways to create value for customers , employees and shareholders while managing risk appropriately – especially technology , cyber and regulatory compliance risk . A good litmus test is an ability to read and understand financial statements and SEC filings . x
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