Christo Carstens-Jansen van Vuuren
Digital Transformation Leadership
PwC Canada
Senior Manager, National Operations
“I was impressed by the wide range of industries represented in our program cohort. I learned that large organizations all face the same challenges, depending on which Digital Transformation pathway they’re on. They all have one thing in common; shifting their focus on transforming how they do business to meet changing customer needs, both internally and externally.”
My Journey
I am a Senior Manager on PwC Canada’s National Operations team, which supports our Assurance practice, engagement teams, and any project-related services. Due to my experience and MBA credential, I was transitioned to my current role and tasked with launching a new business unit called the Project Support Office, which is focused on helping our engagement teams become more efficient and profitable.
Creating a business unit from scratch was a great opportunity for me, but I realized I needed to refresh my MBA knowledge. I decided to enroll in a course to upskill and apply different frameworks to my work in real-time. The digital transformation program was critical in helping me structure the new business unit and achieve my goal of creating a consistent approach to project planning, execution and tracking.
My Experience
This program highlighted the importance of conducting in-depth research and consultation to establish the real core issues that must be addressed in an organization dealing with digital transformation. Change management is one of the biggest challenges in any organization, and I learned a lot about its role in digital transformation. It is essential to draw skills from change management to implement digital transformation effectively.
I was impressed by the wide range of industries represented in our program cohort, including Save-On-Foods, Vancity, RBC, and consultancies. I learned that large organizations all face the same challenges, depending on which Digital Transformation pathway they’re on. They all have one thing in common; shifting their focus on transforming how they do business to meet changing customer needs, both internally and externally. Silos are another challenge in many organizations—including ours, where different lines of service operate independently under one large umbrella. Effective collaboration could greatly benefit the business, and that’s where digital transformation can improve processes.
Highlights
Processes such as discovery and empathy mapping with my customers have been important takeaways for me from the program. It led to the development of new perspectives for me as I took a step back for the first time and considered how our auditors would experience support with project coordination.
The level of professionals in my cohort brought a lot of great ideas and thinking to the table. Peer discussions every Thursday were rewarding, and I learned a lot from them. Toward the end of the course, I realized the growth that had taken place and that I needed to challenge my way of thinking and be agile and nimble in my vision.
Advice for Future Students
This course offers much more than just frameworks for the digitization of companies. Approach this program with an open mind and without preconceived notions, which can limit your growth and experience—which goes against the purpose of digital transformation. Rather than focusing on what you can gain, think about what you can contribute to the larger discussion. Only then will you be able to develop yourself, reflect on your strategies, and adapt to change.