Colombia. The digital revolution has transformed the rules of the game in the business world. Today, leading does not only imply experience or authority, but the ability to innovate, adapt and take advantage of technology to drive growth.
In this context, automation and Industry 4.0 are redefining business management, placing data-based decision-making as the new pillar of success.
Industry 4.0: the turning point in business management
According to Dr. Diego Apolo Buenaño, professor at Broward International University - BIU, belonging to Planeta Formación y Universidades, the future of automation in the business environment is marked by the convergence of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, deep learning and data analytics.
"That is why, today, the digital era has redefined social, cultural and economic practices, placing societies as a turning point," he said.
For the BIU academic, it is no longer enough to focus on data or on the set of organized data, "today the key lies in Wisdom, understood as the ability to make decisions based on the comprehensive analysis of data."
Thus, in the industrial environment, efficiency and effectiveness become unavoidable priorities in many aspects, which is why institutions must adopt agile technology and methodology, typical of industry 4.0, "from cloud computing to digital transformation, with a focus based on process optimization, continuous improvement and innovation."
Automation as a competitive advantage
For the expert, one of the biggest challenges facing leaders and companies is not only investment in infrastructure, it is change management. "Before focusing on costs or new tools, it is essential to analyze the tangible and intangible factors that affect the adoption and sustainability of automation," he says.
It also indicates that promoting technological literacy, decision-making and ethics, responsibility and attitude have become key elements for the jobs of the future. "In addition, creating workplaces that prioritize emotional salary, promote multi, inter and transdisciplinary cooperation, generate innovative thinking and encourage a significant contribution in all areas of employees, whether personal, academic and professional, will attract better prospects."
Automation, an essential tool within companies
For automation to become a true ally within a dynamic ecosystem, such as companies, Buenaño stresses that it is not enough to integrate it, it is necessary to understand its impact on the social and cultural processes that are attached to its implementation.
"The intensive use of technology does not guarantee the improvement of operational practices by itself. In this sense, many technological projects do not fail because of their design or implementation; but also due to the lack of significant appropriation from all the actors involved. So, the key to success arises to the extent that they understand their impact and the importance of their role in these systemic processes, which more than balancing is creating an adaptive harmony to the scenarios."
Faced with this scenario, he considers that the ability to adapt and cooperate is the cornerstone of any institution. "In these processes where we talk about industries 4.0 and education 4.0, leaders must understand that their role must be that of mentors who not only promote practices of repetition or fulfillment of functions. They must be mentors who mark, through challenges and achievements of short, medium and long-term objectives, seek a meaning and purpose for the whole team. "Leadership is more than a sign on the display or a text on the web," says Buenaño.
