Digital Rebelión & Culture

I have been selling software and hardware for the last 13 years and whilst industry analysts and vendors alike are coining phrases like the ‘digital era’ and the '4th industrial revolution’ to describe the rich vein of innovation we are currently experiencing, I think it can be summed up much more simply:

The nerds took on the 'global establishment'; won and are now tearing it down piece-by-piece in order rebuild it in their digital image and culture.

(I use the term 'nerd' affectionally, as I consider myself to be one)

The culture part I find fascinating as it is often the driving force behind the change but strangely, it is also the bit that analysts steer clear of describing... 

You see, the established -by its very nature- always has a vested interest in things staying the same. The people at the top of the 'establishment pile' seek constantly to control and stifle innovation to protect their own interests. This however, p*ss*s people off; particularly the smart ones who have tried climbing the established, hierarchal, condition-ladened ladders of progression only to realise the false hope they represented. 

Establishments rarely last though; technological progression has always been a reliable medium through which superior intellect and innovation could manifest as a disruptive force. Smart business and organisational leaders know this too and it is indeed just a matter of time before the capital starts to flow into the new ideas and the wide spread transformation begins. 

This particular wave of digital innovation is no different in terms of the disruption and cultural change it carries with it, but the magnitude and rate of change is perhaps the most extraordinary ever witnessed. 

In this Digital age, our nerds have truly created a society and economy whereby people of all ages, sexes, races and origins have the opportunity and platform to shine. No longer will great ideas have to play the long game to see the light of day because it is innovation, bravery and change that are rewarded in the digital meritocracy. 

Digital business has a new dress code too - don’t ignore it, because its symbolic of the cultural change. Much like taking the word 'nerd' -originally used as an insult by moronic playground bullies- and wearing it like a badge of honour, digital disruptors embrace the things that go against the grain of tradition. 

Digital innovators wouldn't be caught dead wearing shiny suits to work. They don’t typically buy expensive Italian shoes, swiss watches or strangle themselves with neck ties. In fact, all forms of symbolic neck mutilation are out of the window. T-shirts, jeans and beards are in - as are hoodies and pumps. You see, most nerds aren’t consumed with social status and pay little attentions to social norms and rules. Remember that it is the judgemental, controlling and 'oldy-worldy' types that these innovators are rebelling against in the first place. Anything that offends 'old school business' is good for Digital. Tattoos? why not...? Piercings, go for it. Beer and Energy drinks in the office… sign me up!

Prominent nerds like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, etc all had one thing in common. They didn’t respect rules, etiquette or the natural order of things. Instead, they used their enormous brains to innovate and create compelling visions of the future that they would then execute with immense passion and determination. They didn’t kiss up to the hierarchy, wear the right clothes or wait their turn to show their ideas. If they had, they wouldn’t be where they are now… in charge. 

Perhaps the most ironic aspect of this digital era is watching the old businesses -that still don’t understand the essence of this transformation- buying new technologies to stay ‘current' but packaging them up and taking them to market in ways that make it a abundantly clear that they have missed the point of digital.   

Thankfully, I work for a technology company that understands the digital paradigm properly and promotes a culture that puts innovation and agility at the centre of its value system. You can’t just pay lip service to digital transformation, you have to fully embrace it, go through it and reinvent yourself - time and time again. It doesn’t matter if you are an old company or digital native, the key to success is embracing change - culture and all.  

Thanks for Reading,

Chancey