This is an exclusive interview series conducted by the Editor Team of CIO News with Ines Nasri, CEO at WebPower USA & WebPower Tunisie.
How did you plan your career path to be a successful Technology Leader?
I did not really plan it. The journey started back in 1998 when I decided to become a computer science engineer. I knew that computer science was going to be amazing and was curious to what extent. Then most of my career choices were driven by curiosity and thirst to learn and to educate people around me.
Digital technologies are evolving at a crazy pace. A few years ago, NFTs were the new big deal in the digital world that everyone was talking about; a few months ago, the metaverse was the new big thing happening, and now it’s AI, ChatGPT, … All of those can be highly beneficial to any business, whether it’s a local business, a national company, or a global one.
Many business leaders I meet in my workshops and events are overwhelmed with the pace at which technologies are evolving.
My mission has constantly been educating students, my clients, my followers online on Youtube, and business leaders I meet in conferences and events.
If I had to choose one motivation that drove all my decisions, it would be “The passion for education.”.
What challenges you faced in your career path and how did you overcome them?
I am proud to say that I love my job. I am lucky enough to be in an industry that I love. Helping business leaders boost their online presence and dominate their industry locally can be life-changing.
It took many years of hard work to get here, and along the way, I had to deal with a lot of bias and microaggressions.
Female business leaders in the digital world may face a unique set of challenges in their career paths due to gender biases, stereotypes, and self-limiting beliefs, among other things… It was no different for me!
Early in my career and even in college, lack of representation was a big thing for me. I have found it difficult to find role models and mentors who share my experiences and have achieved what I wanted. To overcome this challenge, I have sought out opportunities to network with other female leaders in the industry and participate in women-focused business programs and events. I have also worked hard to promote gender equity within my own company. I have implemented policies that promote equal pay and diverse hiring practices.
Now, I am myself a mentor. I worked with female entrepreneurs from different countries. I will continue doing this as long as my schedule allows me to. I am also a mentor with the US Department of Commerce initiative “Select USA.” It’s an amazing program designed to attract entrepreneurs worldwide who want to expand to the American market. I work with female entrepreneurs.
Work-life balance was another challenge for me. Balancing work and personal life can be challenging for many individuals, especially those in high-pressure jobs like business leaders. I didn’t have clear boundaries and did not practice self-care enough and just kept working because I was enjoying it. As business leaders in challenging times, we need it more than ever.
Finally, I have struggled with imposter syndrome. I am a female business owner coming to the US from North Africa with many skills, a lot of experience, and big dreams. Let me explain for those who need to become more familiar with the concept of imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt, even when there is evidence of success. it can be very stressful and limiting. A few things helped me overcome this challenge. I have practiced positive self-talk, sought feedback and looked at facts rather than validation from everyone else, and focused on my accomplishments and strengths.
What are the challenges faced by Technology Leaders today while implementing digital technologies? How can Technology Leaders overcome the challenges faced?
Technology leaders today face a number of challenges while implementing digital technologies. Some of the key challenges include:
- Legacy Systems: Many organizations have legacy systems that are outdated and incompatible with newer digital technologies. This can make it difficult to implement new solutions and can slow down the digital transformation process.
- Cybersecurity: With the increase in digital technologies, cybersecurity is a major concern for technology leaders. They must ensure that their systems are secure and that they are protecting their organization’s data from cyberattacks.
- Resistance to Change: Resistance to change is a common challenge when implementing new technologies. Technology leaders must work to overcome this resistance by communicating the benefits of the new technology and providing adequate training and support to employees.
- Data Management: The amount of data generated by digital technologies is increasing at an exponential rate. Technology leaders must find ways to manage and analyze this data to gain insights and make informed decisions.
- Talent Acquisition and Retention: With the rapid pace of technological change and the multitude of opportunities Gen Z is offered, it can be difficult to find and retain skilled employees.
- Cost: Implementing new digital technologies can be expensive, and technology leaders must work within their budgets to find cost-effective solutions that meet their organization’s needs.
- Interoperability: Different digital technologies may not be compatible with each other, leading to interoperability issues. Technology leaders must work to integrate different technologies and ensure that they work together seamlessly.
- Digital Education: Businesses are exposed daily to new technologies every day. I believe that business leaders can’t be digitally ignorant anymore.
Overall, technology leaders face a number of challenges while keeping up with the digital world: Digital technologies are constantly evolving, and it’s essential for business leaders and small businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in order to remain competitive.
Digital technologies can help automate tasks and streamline processes, increasing efficiency and productivity. Business leaders and small business owners can optimize their operations and save time and resources by understanding how to use digital tools and platforms.
Digital technologies allow businesses to reach a wider audience through local SEO, digital PR, social media, and e-commerce. By effectively leveraging these tools, business leaders and small business owners can expand their customer base and increase revenue. Digital technologies can be used to provide customers with a more personalized and seamless experience.
Overall, digital education and literacy are essential for business leaders and small business owners to stay competitive, increase efficiency, reach a wider audience, enhance customer experience, and stay secure in the digital age.
Any best practices/industry trends/advice you would like to suggest to fellow Technology Leaders for their successful professional journeys?
AI is among the most fascinating and promising technologies. I believe that businesses that will leverage AI will see tremendous success. There are so many ways you can leverage AI and will leverage, and business leaders should really care about AI and ChatGPT for several reasons:
Content Creation: AI and ChatGPT can be used to create content such as articles, blog posts, and social media updates. Businesses can use AI-powered tools to generate ideas, research keywords and topics, and even write the content. This can save time and resources for businesses, especially those with limited staff. They will still need to check and customize the content, but the value is there.
Increased Efficiency: AI and ChatGPT can automate many tasks and processes, which can help businesses save time and resources. This can allow businesses to focus on other areas of their operations, such as product development, customer service, and marketing.
Enhanced Customer Experience: Chatbots powered by AI and ChatGPT can provide personalized and efficient customer service, which can enhance the customer experience and build brand loyalty. Also, chatbots can be available 24/7!
Competitive Advantage: By adopting AI and ChatGPT, businesses can gain a competitive advantage by providing better customer service, improving their operations, and innovating their products and services. This can help businesses differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract more customers.
AI and ChatGPT are rapidly evolving technologies that I am expecting to play an increasingly important role in business operations in the future. I highly recommend adopting these technologies early on. This way, businesses can future-proof their operations and stay ahead of the curve.
I do believe that now is the time for business leaders and local businesses to care about these technologies and consider integrating them into their operations.
Any other points that you would like to highlight?
I think mindset and education are key to any business leader’s success. Learning to cultivate the success mindset, practice intentional self-care, and stay sharp and up-to-date by continuously learning are keys to success. They worked for me.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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