Areas of Interest
Curious for our point of view on hot topics like using AI for tangible benefits, actually realizing the value of mergers, and more? We’ve compiled recommendations, frameworks, and resources across several areas of interest to get things started. Of course, if any of these topics are on your mind, we’d love to continue the conversation!
AI & Automation
It’s nearly impossible to miss the hype around generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation, but it can seem like technology is advancing too quickly to keep up with. If you find yourself wanting fewer complicated techy words and more practical advice, you’ve come to the right place.
The FlexPoint team is passionate about deploying technology in the service of people. So, while we are indeed keeping up with the latest generative AI models, we’re far more concerned with how these advances in technology can serve you and your team. We’ve been through many hype cycles before, and we know how to understand your business needs, match those to potential technology enablers, and chart an achievable path forward.
How do we thread the AI needle between hype and meh? We hold these five principles in mind with every AI-related engagement.
We’re aiming for the Goldilocks of AI and automation initiatives.
We want to address challenges and opportunities already in your sights.
This is a people puzzle as much as it is a technology puzzle.
This is about more than Generative AI and large language models.
Data is getting more important, not less.
See more on each of these, plus an assessment to determine your best next steps with AI and example use cases to get your creativity flowing.
M&A Integration
A lot of effort typically goes into the consideration, due diligence, and commercial aspects of mergers and acquisitions, but the integration phase after deal close can be underestimated in its complexity and duration. Integration can include everything from employee resistance to leadership attrition, from duplicative processes to fragmented technology, and from operational oversights to cultural clashes.
Our proven partnership and expertise in successful M&A integrations ensures:
Employees from both organizations feel heard, valued, and engaged
Leadership is aligned with a clear vision for the combined entity
Processes and structures are optimized without disrupting productivity
Customers experience continuity and strengthened relationships
The punchlist from deal discussions through close and well beyond can see endless. So, we’ve identified the critical activities to prioritize throughout the process, separated by focus area — people, process, and technology — because each deal differs in its mix and intensity. Here’s the people-focused flow:
See more on all of this, along with downloadable versions of all three process overviews, for a tangible start to your next post-merger integration.
IT Leadership Alignment
Technology is both the reason for disruption throughout many industries and part of the solution to remaining relevant for years to come. According to a recent survey, 82% of CEOs believe their average competitor won’t be in business in ten years unless they update their business model. And over 70% of executives intend to use technology to make these structural changes.
That makes it even more important for IT leadership to be aligned — within the technology team, with business leaders, and with the executive team. Alas, this is easier said than done.
What do we do to actually get on the same page? We recommend getting clear on these four items, to start.
Medium-term organization goals
Technology objectives
Role definition & decision rights
Execution priorities
See more on each of these, along with additional resources on driving alignment throughout various stakeholder groups.
Platform Modernization
Many organizations understandably take a cautious approach to modernizing platforms because most legacy systems are simultaneously complex, rigid, and business-critical. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to meet internal and external stakeholders’ demands with legacy technology solutions, whether because they’re tricky to integrate with other tools, rely on outdated practices like daily batches, or simply can’t support the transaction volume or responsiveness expected today.
Despite the challenges, platform modernization can be a critical step for an organization to remain relevant to all stakeholder groups:
Everyone wants intuitive, easy-to-use tools and information at their fingertips.
Customers and clients expect to find answers online, mobile-ready, and lightning-fast.
Functional team members don’t want better technology training; they want technology to be so intuitive that they don’t need training!
Technical team members want to benefit from the latest efficiency tools, which may only work with cloud-based, connected solutions.
FlexPoint can help your organization answer the daunting questions of when, why, and how to modernize legacy platforms. More than that, we can work with you to deliver the platform(s) that will serve your organization for many years to come.
Read more on our approach, client success stories, and lessons learned from years of experience.