The Manager in the Age of the Internet of Things

"This new reality in technology— called the Internet of Things—is about collecting and managing the massive amounts of data from a rapidly growing network of devices and sensors, processing that data, and then sharing it with other connected things[1]. "

On the Changing Role of Managers:

•   The Manager (IoTM) has to be futuristic as the Internet of Things (IoT) is the technology of the future.
•    He / She has to un-freeze from the past and refreeze to be technologically aware and digitally engaged manager.
•        Developing technical competencies among the staff for the IoT.  
•         IoT is about machine to machine (M2M) conversations. So the manager  has to have his / her IT skills upgraded. The manager must revisit his / her knowledge of operations management.
•     IoT brings about enhanced operational risks. In an environment of geopolitical tension, the manager has to assess and address the firm's protective shield for a probable cyber attack.  The manager has test systems for vulnerability on a continuing basis.
•  IoT brings about the challenge of security of systems. As the technology invades the corporate sphere, self regulation takes over.
•    The new products and services of the future have to be smart.
•    The market is trillion dollar. Great corporations have a technological, financial (read investment) and early mover advantages. 
•    The manager has to assimilate the art of Multi Channel Brand management.
•    The manager has to develop consumer soundboards from social media platforms.
• The organization has to cope with the  shift to Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
• The need for digital agility.
• New content development on an ongoing basis. 
• Information asset management.
• Working profitability in an environment of cost reduction. The manufacturing costs for smart devices will be lower because of lower prices for silicon chips
• Streamlining the distribution and management systems and processes of digital content, regardless of where it resides, is the first step toward containing costs.
• Inventory digitilization and inventorizing digital content across the firm.
• Ensuring functional growth. 
• Cross team coordination. 
• The shift to a sensor driven  organization.
• Sifting through big data ; developing an analytic culture in the organization.
• Using data for predicting in an uncertain world.
• To be innovative and more to to be disruptor. 

Copyright :Jayaram Nayar

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[1] Oracle (2014) : The Internet of Things: Manage the Complexity, Seize the Opportunity