Leadership and strategy drive digital and AI transformation in SMEs

Experts are highlighting the critical role of leadership and strategy in navigating digital and AI-driven transformations within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Gabriela Jaecker of CleverMatch emphasizes that selecting new management requires evaluating a candidate's ability to assess the economic benefits of AI, manage risks, and implement technological changes within teams. She notes that clear communication regarding expectations between owners and new executives is essential to avoid friction during leadership transitions.

IT expert Natascha Jäger outlines seven success factors for digital transformation, stressing that such initiatives must be driven by top management to signal importance to employees. Jäger suggests that companies should first define a clear strategy and desired benefits for customers and teams before selecting specific digital tools, noting that many projects fail due to a lack of trained personnel or misaligned technical expectations.