Digital Literacy: An essential skill for Executives in Aotearoa New Zealand
Tēnā koutou katoa! Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to the Cloverbase rangitaki/blog; it’s a privilege to have your attention.
As I sit down to write this post, I must admit that I am a bit overwhelmed by the pace of change we are currently experiencing in technology. I went on parental leave to have our second child in August 2022. Thanks to the acceleration of AI (Artificial Intelligence), the business world I’m returning to just ten months later is completely different.
My career has been centred around using technology to drive business results. I joined Google in 2013 and have partnered with businesses in Australia, Europe, and New Zealand to help them understand how to get the best out of Google’s ad tech. I have often played translator between clients, agencies, consultants, and Google’s technical experts to make sure everyone is working towards the same goal. During that time, I have observed a broadening of who is interested in and responsible for data within businesses. From a few technical people to many stakeholders across almost every department, everyone needs to have a baseline level of digital literacy.
What is Digital Literacy?
Digital literacy, in simple terms, refers to the proficiency and knowledge required to leverage digital tools, platforms, and information effectively. It goes beyond mere technical expertise, encompassing a comprehensive understanding of how digital technologies impact business operations, strategies, and decision-making processes.
In the business context, digital literacy encompasses a range of skills and competencies that empower leaders to navigate and leverage digital technologies effectively. Including using various digital tools and platforms to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity and critically evaluating and analysing information obtained from digital sources to aid decision-making. Digital literacy requires a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability.
What does this mean for Executives?
The decision-makers on C-suites and boards have typically relied on technical experts. But with the rate of digital transformation we’ve seen in the last four years and the advent of generative AI tools like Chat GPT and Bard, ‘asking an expert’ isn’t enough anymore. We need to do more than give technology a seat at the table in the form of a tech expert. Every person in the boardroom needs to have a shared language and understanding of digital technology so that decisions can be made in the right context.
That doesn’t mean executives and board members need to learn how to code. But the potential upside of leaders learning to be good digital collaborators is huge; check out some of the billion-dollar collaboration stories in this HBR article, Coding Isn’t a Necessary Leadership Skill – but Digital Literacy is. The author, Sophia Mateeva, concludes that “To succeed in this new tech-enabled world, learning how to work with people who make tech products is simply a core leadership skill.”
The ability to navigate the intricacies of technology has become an essential skill for business leaders in every executive or board role, not only technical ones like CTO or CIO. Successful businesses rely on leaders who can combine their industry knowledge and experience with an understanding of how to leverage technology.
Digital Leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand
Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, innovation is a core part of our business identity. We embrace technology because we’ve been ‘working remotely’ long before the pandemic, given how geographically removed we are from most of the world. We quite literally must do more with less, so any tech that promises to improve efficiency is adopted quickly. I saw this trend first-hand in programmatic advertising. I moved from Auckland to Sydney with the Publicis Group as a founding member of their trading desk. My role was meant to be focused on Australia, but my colleagues in Auckland adopted the new way of buying online advertising at a much higher rate than their Aussie counterparts, so they became a big part of my role. Today the New Zealand market continues to lead the world in our adoption of programmatic ads.
Global tech success stories like Xero and Les Mills demonstrate the impact of strong digital leadership. Digital literacy equips leaders to effectively communicate the vision and benefits of digital initiatives, guide employees through technological changes, and inspire innovation within their teams. It can give organisations a competitive advantage by enabling leaders to navigate the evolving digital landscape and stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies. By continuously learning and updating their skills, New Zealand business leaders can proactively adapt to changes, make strategic decisions based on the evolving digital ecosystem, and position their organizations for future success.
Getting Started with Digital Literacy
Start with asking questions if you can only focus on one thing to improve your digital literacy today. Become good at asking questions every opportunity you get, even if they seem stupid. The stupider, the better. Stupid questions often end up being the smartest ones. Be humble and curious. Humble enough to accept that you don’t know the answers and curious to learn from someone who does. Even if that ‘someone’ is a generative AI tool like ChatGPT or Bard. Embrace digital literacy as a lifelong learning journey.
That’s exactly what I’m doing for myself. My return to work after my second parental leave looks very different than the first time. I’ve decided it’s time to leave Google, take what I’ve learned, and develop digital literacy programs for executives and board members in Aotearoa New Zealand. I’m lucky to be working with my husband, Mark Smith, a digitally fluent technologist who has been creating training content for Microsoft for over a decade. As I ramp back from parental leave, I’ve been asking many questions, starting with What is Artificial Intelligence? I’d recommend the Google AI training as a helpful starting point.
If you have a question, I might be able to help with, comment below or connect with me. I’d love to explore it with you.
Stay humble and curious.
