NOVEMBER 2023CIOAPPLICATIONSEUROPE.COM8IN MYOPINIONHARMONY IN MOTION - THE BALLET OF TECHNOLOGYcould start this article by stating that we live in exciting times like many before I have.And as is proper. We do, of course. We do live in exciting times.I suspect, though, that most times have been quite exciting for those who lived them. In that sense, these times are not unique: our purpose and goals are much the same, but the tool sets keep changing, and lately, they are changing at an almost incomprehensible pace.We keep inventing new ways of doing things, increasing efficiency, broadening our insights, and using this insight to personalise our experiences through technology and (hopefully) make more informed and smart decisions.My reason for working with technology is not that I love writing code. I'm not even very good at it. My love for technology relates to my love for human beings, all that surrounds us and my love for creating. I want to create something that positively affects people's lives. And technology is a very efficient tool to do that.As the global vice president of technology in Strawberry, one of the largest hotel chains in the Nordics, I am fortunate to be introduced to and allowed to play with various new technologies and inventions. It's a privilege to work in the hospitality industry and have such a grand playground of technology to support both our guests and employees.However, to make any difference, it's important not to get lost in the bling and `endless opportunities' trap of technology. So how do we navigate?I suppose there is no universal answer, but here is my truth on how not to get lost and make sure we create something of value.To create, we need to focus less on technology, less on what we can do and more on what we want to achieve.To me, technology is all about storytelling. It's a symphony with a variety of instruments. It's the perfection of a ballet.Ballet is renowned for its grace, poise and intricate movements. Every performance is a display of elegance, harmony and precision.All of this happens, of course, because the choreography is a carefully crafted sequence of steps, leaps, and tins. It's designed to convey emotions and tell a story.Similarly, IT Architecture and introducing new technologies should involve planning and organising to fulfill specific business objectives. Like the lead dance, who sets the tone and direction of the performance, the IT architect should establish the framework, defining how each system interacts and ensuring they align. When we explore the parallels between these two seemingly diverse domains, we discover that the success of both lies in the ability to plan and prepare for each dancer's idle, ensuring they move in harmony to IKARI ANNA FISKVIK, VICE PRESIDENT OF TECHNOLOGY, STRAWBERRY Kari Anna Fiskvik
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