Why Digital Transformation Fails and How Executives Can Get It Right

Despite the headwinds currently, CEOs remain optimistic about the future thanks to their faith in digital transformation But is this faith justified? According to Bain & Company, 88%% of digital transformation projects fail to meet their intended outcomes. Which begs the question, how can we connect the dots and increase the likelihood of success?

Tech Talks, the tech exec series by Change Makers met at City Social to try to unhook one of the many obstacles – balancing short term priorities with long term impact. It was a fascinating discussion. Nine senior executives focused on one thorny problem, generating ideas and mapping out solutions.

The discussion underlined a clear truth. Successful digital transformation is not driven by technology alone, but by executive alignment, disciplined prioritisation and sustained engagement across the organisation. When marketing strategy, leadership intent and long‑term value creation work together, transformation shifts from aspiration to execution. These conversations are an essential step in helping executives turn strategic ambition into measurable impact and build marketing approaches that deliver results over time.