Data plays key role in digital transformation

Data plays a key role in digital transformation, and organisations across the Middle East need to understand how best to leverage data when making long-term strategies, experts said ahead of the Local Digital Middle East 2020 event.
Presented by BigFive Digital, the event will take place next week on February 4, 2020 at Google's Dubai offices. Various digital experts and officials will be present to discuss new trends in the industry, as well as help businesses on how to use digital solutions to find and grow their customer base, and to operate their businesses more efficiently.
"This event will be a great opportunity to connect with others who are building the ecosystem that will help local Middle Eastern businesses move their businesses online. There are many challenges to overcome in achieving this, but the opportunity is enormous. We plan for this to be the first of many events focused on this opportunity," said Charles Laughlin, co-founder of BigFive Digital.
"Events like ours offer two primary benefits," he explained. "Learnings and networking; we emphasize both of these equally. The learning element comes from inviting speakers on stage who have something important to share with our audience. The networking element comes from having a balance of constituencies represented among the delegates. For example, if digital solutions providers want to meet with digital agencies, we try hard to have each well represented."
The event will welcome several speakers who can articulate opportunities to digitally empower the region's local businesses.
"Data is at the heart of informed decision making today," said Namrata Balwani, a digital transformation expert, startup coach, and one of the speakers at the event. "Without data, companies cannot create true value for customers in a hyper-competitive world. Digital transformation is therefore a necessity. The biggest challenge is to plan for the impact on people (customers and employees), and not see it as being about technology alone."
- rohma@khaleejtimes.com