Integration is more than just putting Tech A together with Tech B via an API. Integration goes to the heart of how things work together: people, process and THEN technology. Here are 6 things you need to know about Integrations and Value Networks.

We Discuss:

• What is meant by ‘integration’ ?
• What is a value network?
• Why should we care?
• How do you become a network node and drive value?
• Where can you learn more?

Key Highlights:

• Need to consider integration holistically beyond just tools and technology. Also need to think about integrating behaviors and getting the right people to solve problems. (00:26:04)
• Integration is not just a technical issue, it’s also about integrating business units and getting people to work together in new ways. (00:49:12)
• Many companies think of integration as a linear process of connecting systems, but it needs to be seen as a nonlinear network with multiple nodes. (01:20:09)
• Integration strategy needs to focus on business value and exponential impact, not just technology tactics. (01:40:16)
• Most companies don’t consider integration a top priority and see it as just a technology issue rather than a business strategy issue. (02:00:07)
• Need to integrate people, processes and partners across the ecosystem to enable good customer experiences, not just integrate technology systems. (02:26:11)
• Value networks allow companies to provide customized experiences across different customers in nonlinear ways, unlike linear supply chains. (03:06:23)
• Most companies lack a modern integration strategy focused on business strategy rather than just technology execution. (03:50:12)
• C-suite doesn’t prioritize integration because technologists don’t pitch it in terms of business strategy and value. (04:10:18)
• To achieve business goals like good customer experience, need to work backwards to integrate technology, people, processes and partners. (05:26:11)
• Main takeaway is that integration is a corporate strategy problem first, not a technology problem. (33:15:05)

6 Takeaways:

1. Integration needs to be considered holistically – beyond just tools and technology. Need to integrate behaviors, people, processes.
2. Integration is not a linear process of connecting systems. It’s a nonlinear network with multiple nodes.
3. Lack of a modern integration strategy focused on business value rather than just technology tactics.
4. The C-suite doesn’t prioritize integration because it’s pitched as technology not business strategy.
5. To enable good customer experiences, integrate technology, people, processes and partners across ecosystem.
6. Integration is a corporate strategy problem first, not a technology problem.

Check out the Audio-only version of this episode!
Episode 07 – Audio Only