Dayle Stevens OAM, Executive of Data & AI at Telstra, shared her perspective on achieving digital product excellence and how organisations can break down silos to create more cohesive and efficient workflows. 

In a conversation with ADAPT’s Principal Research Analyst Peter Hind, she drew on her experience at Telstra on how to efficiently integrate cross-functional teams and foster a collaborative mindset. 

Dayle joins 150 Heads of Digital Transformation, Product and Customer at Digital Edge, discussing digital product excellence, digital experience, and the power of the x-team. 

 

Collaboration is key 

Dayle emphasised that digital product excellence hinges on breaking down organisational silos and fostering collaboration across teams.  

She highlighted Telstra’s strategic decision to integrate IT, software engineering, data, AI, and product teams, resulting in a more holistic approach to product development and market positioning. 

This integration has enabled Telstra to make informed decisions that consider both customer needs and technical feasibility, leading to faster product launches and improved resilience.  

Dayle said that digital product excellence is not just about creating digital products but about aligning the entire organisation around the customer experience. 

 

Transparency and trust drive change 

Dayle also talked about the importance of transparency and trust in driving organisational change.  

She acknowledged that shifting from traditional models of commitment and control to a more collaborative and agile approach can be challenging.  

However, Telstra’s journey towards greater transparency has fostered trust and empowered teams to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to better outcomes for customers. 

Dayle believes that digital excellence is an ongoing journey of continuous improvement.  

By embracing transparency, fostering collaboration, and aligning the organisation around the customer, businesses can navigate the complexities of digital transformation and achieve lasting success. 

 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Collaboration: Break down silos and foster collaboration across teams. 
  • Transparency: Embrace transparency to build trust and empower decision-making. 
  • Customer-centricity: Align the entire organisation around the customer experience. 
  • Continuous improvement: Digital excellence is an ongoing journey of learning and adaptation. 
Contributors
Dayle Stevens OAM Executive, Data & AI at Telstra, former GM Data at AGL
Dayle joined Telstra in July 2021 with nearly 30 years’ experience in the technology industry. She has held notable executive leadership roles... More

Dayle joined Telstra in July 2021 with nearly 30 years’ experience in the technology industry. She has held notable executive leadership roles in technology at companies such as NAB and AGL. Today Dayle leads Telstra’s Data & AI function.

 

Outside of Telstra, Dayle is a non-executive director at Beyond Blue, Australia’s most well-known and trusted mental health organisation, and a member of the IT Advisory Committee at Trinity College, University of Melbourne.

 

Dayle has long championed diversity in STEM across industry and age group boundaries, both through her own work and with global organisations aimed at encouraging women and girls to participate in STEM such as Robogals and Girl Geek Academy.

 

Dayle’s work has been recognised with multiple industry and professional awards, including being named in the CIO50 list of the best CIOs in Australia, the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence, and being awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to information technology and to women. 

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Peter Hind Principal Research Analyst at ADAPT
One of the ICT industry’s foremost analysts and commentators, Peter Hind has spent over 25 years advising and talking on topics across... More

One of the ICT industry’s foremost analysts and commentators, Peter Hind has spent over 25 years advising and talking on topics across the technology industry. His primary areas of interest are the potential of technology to transform the way organisations operate, the change management obstacles executives encounter in realising this potential, as well as the tactics and techniques leaders have deployed to overcome these difficulties.​

With roles across IDC, Unisys, NCR, Sigma Data, and others, Peter now takes on multiple roles within ADAPT including the moderation of private events and roundtables, interviewing business executives about the strategies they are pursuing and assisting with the structuring of delegate surveys.​

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