– by Ayanda Radebe
Executives leading organisations across public and private sectors face immense challenges in understanding how technology can impact governance and strategy in their organisations. We recently held the Effective Board Leadership programme, facilitated by Dr Karunagaran Naidoo, Professor Manoj Maharaj and Mr Marlon Moodley. Dr Naidoo and Professor Maharaj are from the Discipline of Information Systems & Technology under the School of Management, IT and Governance at UKZN, and Mr Moodley is a Certified Director at the Institute of Directors in South Africa. Boards play an important role in shaping an organisation’s direction, ensuring good governance practices, and leveraging technology to drive innovation and growth.
Dr Naidoo began by taking the delegates through strategies in the changing global governance environment, technology disruptions, and trends in the digital business, which aimed to address changes in the new digital era. Embracing the technological advancements in the new digital age has become an integral part of every industry. Dr Naidoo then extended to share strategic alignment models that aim to assess business and IT alignment across all business model components. Delegates found this an essential tool to apply within their respective organisations as it keeps them informed and guides them towards technological excellence. As technology advances, there is a need to understand and implement cyber security measures, especially for modern organisations. This strategic layer of protection ensures that cyber security measures are not just reactive but are also part of an organisation’s core planning and decision-making process.
The programme also focused on enriching delegates on developing practical insights into implementing successful strategies to address challenges and opportunities facing organisations in crucial spheres of governance and risk. The facilitators touched on establishing strong governance frameworks which assists board leaders in enhancing accountability, mitigate risks and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
Professor Maharaj focused on the strategic vision and alignment of organisations, including engaging in strategic discussion, challenging assumptions and providing guidance on long-term goals. Delegates found this to be a valuable tool in driving sustainable growth, which automatically helps them increase shareholder value.
By embracing fostering good governance practices and aligning strategic visions, leaders of organisations can navigate the complexities of today’s business landscape and drive success.
Please click here for more information or to enrol for the Effective Board Leadership: Technology, Governance and Strategy programme’s next intake.