Marc Claxton is the Head of Enterprise Architecture at E.ON and has unique experience that he wants to share at DTX.
With almost three decades of military service and a successful career in the utility sector, he has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and aligning IT strategies with business goals.
Marc will be speaking at DTX London, taking place on 2nd and 3rd October at ExCeL London.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: You have an interesting background, having served in the military for many years before entering the utility sector. How has this journey shaped your approach to your current role at E.ON?
My journey has been quite diverse. I joined the military as a boy soldier at 15 and 11 months, serving for 26 years. This experience provided me with a strong foundation in leadership and strategic thinking. After completing my military career, which ended with a tour in Afghanistan, I consciously sought new challenges outside the defence sector.
I found my way into the utility sector, starting in networks, security, and unified communications. Over the past decade, I've progressed through roles at innogy SE, and now E.ON, focusing increasingly on enterprise architecture and technology strategy.
My military background has significantly influenced my approach, particularly in communication and decision-making. For instance, we used an approach in the military called BLUF, an acronym for Bottom Line Up Front. This principle of getting to the point quickly and effectively is something I've found invaluable in the corporate world, especially when dealing with board-level communications – and this is what I will be talking about at DTX.
Q: What attracted you to E.ON specifically?
What drew me to E.ON was its commitment to the energy transition. We're at a crucial juncture where we must fundamentally change how we approach energy to meet sustainability targets and address climate challenges. The exciting part is that we need to make changes in the next 10 years, which should take a century to build.
E.ON's strategic vision aligns with my personal view about making the world a better place for us and future generations. Our company strapline, "It's on us", resonates with me. It's about taking responsibility and driving real change in generating, distributing, and consuming energy.
Working at E.ON allows me to participate in significant initiatives like transitioning to electric vehicles, expanding renewable energy generation, and moving away from fossil fuels – all while ensuring we keep the lights on. It's a complex challenge but incredibly rewarding to be part of.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DTX London?
My session at DTX is titled: "How to Master Board Communication to Align IT and Business Strategy." I'll discuss strategies for effectively managing engagement at the board level when aligning business and IT strategies. This skill is crucial for any technology leader, as significant investments and strategic decisions often require board approval.
Q: Why should people listen to your session at DTX?
Many critical decisions that shape an organisation's future are made at the board level. You must present your case to the board when proposing significant business investments or transformational IT initiatives. Successfully navigating the complexity of boardroom dynamics is essential to making favourable decisions for your proposals.
In my session, I'll share practical techniques for managing the 'noise' you often encounter in a boardroom. This includes dealing with distractions, conflicting agendas, and competing priorities while keeping the focus on your digital transformation goals.
I believe this topic is relevant to a wide range of professionals, from those just starting to engage with board-level discussions to experienced executives looking to refine their approach. The strategies I'll discuss can help ensure that digital transformation initiatives stay on track and receive the support they need at the highest levels of the organisation.
Q: If you could offer three takeaways from your speaking session, what would they be?
1. Effective communication strategy: I'll discuss bridging the IT and business language gap. It's crucial to have a strategy that helps you articulate technical concepts in a way that resonates with board members, many of whom may not have a technical background. Understanding your audience and tailoring your message accordingly is vital.
2. Tools for managing boardroom dynamics: Participants will walk away with actionable techniques to manage competing priorities and conflicts in the boardroom. I'll share strategies for focusing on key business transformation goals amid the potential 'noise' of a board meeting.
3. Communicating long-term ROI: Often, the return on investment for significant IT initiatives is realised far down the road. I'll discuss how to clearly articulate the future value of IT investments to the board, helping them understand and buy into the long-term benefits of these initiatives.
Q: Have you attended DTX before, and if so, why should others attend?
Yes, I've attended DTX quite a few times and had the pleasure of presenting at the event for the past couple of years.
DTX offers tremendous value for attendees. While it's important to be aware that these events are sponsored by suppliers who will want to engage with you, the benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
The real gold of DTX is the opportunity to listen to your peers discuss their journeys and challenges. We're all facing similar issues in digital transformation, and the insights you can gain from others who have tackled or are considering similar projects are invaluable. It's a chance to learn, connect, and exchange ideas with professionals across various industries.
I often describe it as beneficial plagiarism: you learn from others' experiences and apply those lessons to your organisation's challenges.
Q: What are your hopes for DTX this year? What are you hoping to learn?
I'm particularly interested in discussions around AI and generative AI this year. There's so much happening in this space, and I'm keen to hear about other organisations' experiences adopting these technologies.
Specifically, I hope to gain insights into people's challenges in introducing AI concepts to their environment. I'm also interested in learning how others navigate AI adoption's potential pitfalls and concerns.
These technologies have enormous potential but also have significant challenges and risks. It will be incredibly valuable to hear how other organisations are balancing the opportunities and risks of AI.
Marc Claxton will be speaking at DTX London, taking place on 2nd and 3rd October at ExCel London. For more information and to register – for free – please visit: https://dtx-london-2024.reg.buzz/