Last week, we analysed short-term movements in the money markets, observing how immediate factors like interest rate changes and investor sentiment can drive rapid fluctuations. This week, we explore long-term trends and the core fundamentals for building resilient, successful businesses.

A recent article by McKinsey featuring Diogo Rau, the Chief Information and Digital Officer of Eli Lilly, offers valuable lessons on leveraging technology for sustained growth. Rau emphasises a powerful yet often understated truth: people are the most essential part of the technology puzzle.

People, Not Just Technology

Rau argues that the human element remains pivotal no matter how advanced technology becomes. At Eli Lilly, the focus on people starts from the top, with leadership actively developing technical skills. For instance, their CEO not only supports AI initiatives but also participated in coding an AI model—setting a powerful example for the organisation.

This approach demonstrates that long-term success in a technology-driven world isn’t about delegating innovation solely to tech teams. Instead, leaders must champion a learning, curiosity, and collaboration culture to enable organisational transformative change.

Rethinking Traditional Silos

Breaking down silos between technology teams and the broader business is another key to success. Rau highlights the shift from a “customer-supplier” mindset to one of true partnership. By integrating technology into core operations and fostering collaboration, companies can ensure that tech serves strategic goals rather than functioning as a standalone support unit.

This lesson extends to all industries: sustainable growth stems from aligning technology capabilities with overarching business objectives, ensuring every team works towards shared success.

Long-Term Innovation and AI Integration

A key takeaway from Eli Lilly’s journey is their proactive approach to AI. Instead of cautiously adopting generative AI, they encouraged company-wide experimentation. From molecule discovery to consumer interactions, AI was embraced as a tool to innovate processes and reimagine customer experiences.

The bold decision to bring their consumer platform, LillyDirect, in-house also underscores the importance of maintaining expertise internally. Long-term resilience comes from owning and evolving capabilities, not relying entirely on external partners.

Building for the Future

As businesses navigate an increasingly complex landscape, this McKinsey article reminds us that technology isn’t the solution—people are. Companies that invest in their talent, foster a culture of innovation, and align technology with strategy will be best positioned to thrive over the next decade. This message is particularly relevant for automotive in a world of complexity, change and cross-functional IT infrastructure at the dealer level.

Have a great week!