Why do some companies nail digital transformation while others just waste millions?
In this episode you'll learn from two very different case studies: Starbucks and Lego.
The founder of Starbucks, the company that pioneered mobile ordering, is now saying they went too far with tech. Meanwhile, LEGO transformed from a wooden toy maker into a digital powerhouse without losing its magic.
Why did one succeed and the other fail? Listen to this episode to find out.
You'll learn:
- Why having great tech stats doesn't mean you're winning (just ask Starbucks)
- How LEGO got digital right by being boring first
- The real reason most transformations fail (spoiler: it's not about the technology)
- Why "going digital" without a soul is like getting plastic surgery to fix your personality
This episode is a must listen for corporate leaders planning their digital strategy, founders building tech companies, and investors who want to spot the next LEGO, not the next digital disaster.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:30 The Digital Transformation Dilemma
03:08 Starbucks: A Case Study in Digital Overreach
05:56 Lego: Embracing Digital to Enhance Core Values
09:47 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Digital Transformation
15:46 Practical Steps for Successful Digital Transformation
For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/230-starbucks-vs-lego-a-tale-of-two-digital-transformations
Sources used to make this episode:
- MIT: Transforming the LEGO Group for the Digital Economy
- McKinsey: Common pitfalls in transformations: A conversation with Jon Garcia
- GeekWire: As Starbucks slumps, Howard Schultz says coffee giant should 'reinvent' mobile ordering
For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on:
FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life)
by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago
Growth Through Innovation
If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here.
Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.