Pascal Gautheron, Head of Bain’s Enterprise Technology practice in Asia-Pacific, outlines how 2024 marks a seismic shift in how Australian organisations are leveraging technology not just for cost-cutting but for achieving strategic objectives. 

Pascal joins 150 CIOs and IT leaders at CIO Edge, discussing How to Prioritise and Lead a Progressive Technology Strategy. 

 

The Disconnect Between Spending and Performance 

Pascal pointed out a critical observation: higher spending on technology does not automatically translate into enhanced enterprise performance.  

In an insightful interview with Byron Connolly, Head of Programs & Value Engagement at ADAPT, his analysis of various companies showed that the nature of technology spending plays a more crucial role than the amount spent.  

Investments aimed at transforming the organisation with technology, rather than merely supporting existing operations, showed a stronger correlation with improved performance. 

 

Key Factors for Gaining Value from IT Investments 

Pascal emphasises that in maximising IT investment value, it’s more critical to strategically utilise technology in impactful areas than to simply increase spending.  

He notes the growing importance of governance, particularly board-level involvement in technology discussions, as a key success factor.  

Pascal also underscores the necessity for organisations to anticipate and prepare for rising cyber security costs due to escalating threats.  

Lastly, he advocates for the adoption and scalability of agile methodologies across organisations as essential for leveraging technological advancements effectively. 

 

Generative AI and Its Implications 

2023 was a year of experimentation with generative AI tools.  

Pascal emphasised that 2024 would be more about scaling these technologies and integrating them into the core operations of businesses.  

The focus will be on measurable outcomes like cost reduction, customer satisfaction, and risk management. 

 

Preparing for AI-Driven Future 

Organisations are currently in different stages of readiness for AI adoption. Those who are scaling up face challenges in data infrastructure and cloud readiness.  

An agile operating model that continuously evolves and adapts is key to leveraging AI effectively. 

 

The Human Element in AI Transformation 

Addressing concerns about AI leading to job losses, Pascal compared the advent of AI to past technological disruptions like cloud computing and digital transformation.  

He stressed that while AI will change the nature of many jobs, it will also create new opportunities and roles. 

Pascal joins 150 CIOs and IT leaders at CIO Edge, discussing How to Prioritise and Lead a Progressive Technology Strategy. 

 

Key Takeaways:

  1. Strategic Spending Over Volume: Focus on the nature and strategic impact of technology spending rather than the amount. 
  2. Board Engagement in Tech Discussions: Encourage active technology discussions at the board level. 
  3. Cyber Security as a Necessary Investment: Recognise the increasing importance and inevitability of cyber security spending. 
  4. Agility and Adaptability: Foster an agile operating model to keep pace with technological advancements. 
  5. Embracing AI’s Potential: Prepare for the transformative impact of AI, focusing on governance, ethical considerations, and the continuous evolution of business models. 
Contributors
Byron Connolly Head of Programs & Value Engagement at ADAPT
Byron is a highly experienced technology and business journalist, editor, corporate writer, and event producer.​ Prior to joining ADAPT, he was the... More

Byron is a highly experienced technology and business journalist, editor, corporate writer, and event producer.

Prior to joining ADAPT, he was the editor-in-chief at CIO Australia and associate editor at CSO Australia. He also created and led the well-known CIO50 awards program in Australia and The CIO Show podcast.

Byron creates valuable insights for our community of senior technology and business professionals that help them reach their organisational and professional goals. He has a passion for uncovering stories about the careers and personal philosophies of Australia’s top technology and digital executives.

When he is not working, Byron enjoys hot yoga, swimming, running and spending time with his family. He completed the North Face 100km ultra marathon in the NSW Blue Mountains in 2012 and 2013.

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Pascal Gautheron Head of Enterprise Technology Practice in Asia-Pacific at Bain & Company
Pascal Gautheron leads Bain’s Enterprise Technology practice in Asia-Pacific. He is also a member of our Financial Services practices. He has 20... More

Pascal Gautheron leads Bain’s Enterprise Technology practice in Asia-Pacific. He is also a member of our Financial Services practices. He has 20 years of experience shaping the largest technology-enabled banking transformations across Asia Pacific.

In his role at Bain, Pascal supports large organizations in designing and delivering results from technology-centric business transformations. His areas of focus include digital and core systems transformations, next generation technology architectures, agile at scale and IT strategy.

Prior to Bain, Pascal was a managing director within a global consulting and systems integration firm for nearly 20 years, most recently as the Banking Industry Lead for Australia. During this time, he supported the design, establishment and review of Australia’s big four banks’ core, digital or technology transformations and some of Asia Pacific’s largest banking transformations.

Before this, he held a number of positions in the firm’s digital venture, strategy consulting and industry consulting practices, where he supported the firm’s investments in new digital ventures, managed relationships with the firm’s largest clients and led the development of emerging technology-based offerings. Pascal presented on banking and technology across a number of professional forums in China, Japan, Singapore and Australia.

Pascal began his career as an engineer in Stuttgart, Paris and Sydney working in the automotive industry with Mercedes Benz and in the defense industry with Thales.

Pascal holds an MBA from the Groupe HEC in France and a Bachelors of Operation Management and Engineering Physics from Miami University in USA.

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