Capgemini’s ASE in the Hole for Digital Transformation

It is not often one hears a finance executive wish he had spent more money to keep more employees away from their daily tasks. Yet that is effectively what happened at Capgemini’ s recent analyst event when a client expressed regret over not undertaking a session in their Accelerated Solutions Environment (ASE) at least every quarter.

HfS believes success at digital transformation is as equally dependent on how an organization’s people respond to the proposed changes as it is on the enabling technologies used. The adoption of mobility, analytics and cloud all create the necessary foundations for undertaking new ways of doing business and engaging with customers but little will change if a company’s employees are not onboard. An enterprise embracing digital transformation will only be successful when the full energy of its people is behind the change.

Research has shown that senior leadership must drive Digital Transformation initiatives as the effort required regularly goes beyond the control of any single department. Yet it is important to realize that a top down directive alone is not sufficient. Cross-functional collaboration must occur and as most of us know all too well, this can be the most difficult part given the natural barriers functional stovepipes tend to create.

Capgemini’s accelerated solution environments are one of the most effective tools we have seen for overcoming the natural constraints an enterprise faces when trying to embrace Digital Transformation.

ASE’s bring together a diverse set of company stakeholders, whether it be senior leadership, functional heads, line managers, floor personnel or some mix of them all, and solve the big problems that everyone is typically well aware of but seldom have the time, energy, focus, and wherewithal to resolve. They do so by facilitating lively and engaging discussions in a neutral and safe environment that quickly teases out the impediment to change, the corresponding solutions required, and most importantly generates the collective energy necessary to embrace the change.

Capgemini’s ASE’s are not new. These patented led facilities have existed for 15 years and already brought together over 1,000 companies including 55% of the Fortune 100 around the globe. But in an era where Digital Transformation is accelerating the need for cross company collaboration, we expect them to take on an even bigger role for the firm.

Listening to an existing client request more time away from his desk spoke to how valuable these sessions can be. It also reminds us that there are times when to get more done one needs to get away. We believe Capgemini’s ASEs provide the perfect environment for that to be occur.