2020 was a challenging year for many organizations as they faced sudden changes in consumer behavior and market dynamics. The shift to digital channels is nothing new, and even in 2019, digital was already the preferred option for commerce and collaboration across many industries—but in the wake of the global pandemic, these channels became the first and only option for many businesses. Preference gave way to necessity almost overnight.

In 2020, the acceleration of digital transformation quickly emerged as a top priority for many organizations as they grappled with the business impacts of an unexpected pandemic and raced to adapt to a new reality. As businesses begin to pivot out of the shadows of COVID-19 in 2021, what will this new reality look like? What new technology trends will emerge? Our executives shared their personal predictions for the year ahead: 1. The End User Era: Architects Will Rise in IT Purchase Power

Digital transformation is one thing. Getting people involved is another. Right now, there’s a disconnect between the culture of digital transformation that companies say they aspire to create and the organizational behavior they actually have, says Lisa Heneghan, Chief Digital Officer and a member of the Executive Committee of KPMG, UK. But here’s the good news: Organizations that invest in bridging the people gap will benefit the most from innovation, according to Heneghan.