Page 26 - Port of Hamburg Magazine - 01.19

■ FUTURE PORT
Digital transformation: Opportunities for the working world
The Northern Institute of Technology Management – NIT focuses on change caused by increasing digitalization in tomorrow’s working world, and the new challenges it will bring.
Automation of processes, development of new tech- nologies and the application of artificial intelligence are omnipresent in our digital world. Already today, we can no longer imagine being without the ever- growing range on offer. From the customer viewpoint it can be quicker, more convenient and simpler. Price comparisons are being simplified and lowest-cost products more rapidly found. This is putting busines- ses under increasing pressure. However, these trends also highlight opportunities for scrutinizing existing business models and creating new ones.
GONE ARE THE HIERARCHIES OF YESTERDAY: WHAT WILL BE THE HALLMARK OF TOMORROW’S MANAGERS?
Companies are more than ever facing the challenge of having to adapt their approach to work to actual de- velopments. One stumbles regularly over terms like ‘Work 4.0’ or ‘digital work’, but what does this mean in concrete terms for individual companies? Through digi- talization, tasks are changing and becoming more com- plex. According to a 2017 study by the BVL – German Federal Logistics Association – leaders will increasin- gly be confronted by strategic issues. This means that they will carry more responsibility, must act flexibly and make decisions quickly. Therefore it follows that in the first place, the top management tier needs to un- derstand the new trends and developments, in order to use them in their companies and to drive change. How- ever, often the absolute basics are lacking, since many leaders have had little exposure to digital opportuni- ties. To remedy this, external input is helpful to facili- tate appropriate learning experiences. Real leaders do not just have to continue developing themselves, but also have to carry staff with them, opening their minds to new developments. Culture change has to come, since speed and a flat hierarchy can mean an enor- mous competitive advantage.
START-UPS SHAPING THE FUTURE
This can be seen especially well in the world of start- ups. According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, every fifth start-up is involved in the application of new digital technologies and 15 per- cent of them enter the market with an innovative pro- duct. They are the drivers of innovation, carrying the hopes for the digital future. When they have to keep
26 | Port of Hamburg Magazine | March 2019
Verena Fritzsche
CEO NIT Northern Institute of Technology Management
© NIT