Blog | 30-May-2025
The Three Ts of Modern Technology: Talent, Tools, and Thinking Ahead
AUTHOR
Anesh Korla
Chief Technology Delivery Officer
What a Flight to the U.S. Taught Me About Tech, Talent, and the Future
I recently returned from the U.S., and one observation stood out to me: nearly everyone regardless of age was using some form of technology to pass the travel time. I was no exception. A few decades ago, travelers would either get excited about the in-flight movie selection or dig into a good book. Today, I carried my own OTT library, carefully curated to match my mood. Spoiled? Maybe. But it’s also a reflection of how deeply integrated technology is in our everyday lives.
In fact, it’s hard to imagine life without it. Not knowing how to use tech today is almost a taboo. But as a tech leader, I tend to look beyond convenience and ask the bigger question what does technology really mean for organizations, and more importantly, how do our customers perceive its role in driving business goals?
Many believe that simply acquiring the best tech stack will unlock success. But I see things a bit differently. Technology is not just about what you buy; it's about how you build and that comes down to three core pillars: Talent, Tools, and Thinking Ahead.
Let me start with the third “T” Thinking Ahead because it’s often the most overlooked. Most transformation efforts begin with urgency: "We need this yesterday." That pressure, though understandable, can lead to rushed decisions, lift-and-shift migrations, and misaligned priorities. We end up not knowing where to start—or worse, why we’re even starting.
Thinking Ahead: The Underrated Superpower
In my experience, true transformation starts with a forward-looking mindset. We should be thinking about 2030 now, not in 2029. How will competition evolve? What new regulations or disruptions might we face?
Thinking ahead is not just about forecasting trends; it’s about setting intentional direction. It’s about preparing people and processes to meet tomorrow’s expectations, not just today’s demands. It’s about change management, expectation-setting, and building a culture that embraces the unknown with confidence and curiosity.
It’s easy to fall back into the comfort of business-as-usual. Fear of failure, time constraints, and uncertainty about the “how” are common blockers. But as a leader, I believe that organizations that succeed are those willing to step into the unknown with a plan.
Tools: Not Just Fancy Acronyms
Everyone’s talking about GenAI, RPA, and advanced analytics but how do we know what we actually need?
Think back to the flight entertainment story: we don’t always trust what's available, so we carry a backup. Unfortunately, that kind of flexibility doesn’t exist in organizations. That’s why choosing the right tool not just the newest one is critical.
It’s not rocket science. If we start with a clear objective and work backward, the path becomes much clearer. This is where I always go back to a tried-and-tested method, what I call the
5-Step Approach to Aligning Technology with Business Objectives:
1
Define Business Goals
What are we solving for: efficiency, customer experience, cost reduction, scalability? Be crystal clear.
2
Define the Future State
Where do we want to go? What will success look like 3–5 years from now? Design your roadmap accordingly the leaner and more focused, the better.
3
Identify Operational Gaps
Look for disconnects in people, processes, and platforms. Where are the bottlenecks? What’s holding you back?
4
Assess the Existing Tech Stack
Understand what you already have. What works well? What doesn’t? And more importantly why?
5
Analyze Fitment & Implement for Impact
Rather than just adding shiny new tools, ask: can we make what we already have work harder and smarter? Invest where it drives clear business outcomes and ROI.
It’s not about having the most. It’s about having the right.
Talent: The True Tech Multiplier
And finally, let’s talk about Talent arguably the most important “T.”
Talent is more than skill. It’s about mindset. Do your people see the same vision? Do they understand the customer? Are they aligned with the organization’s purpose? Are they in it for a job or a career?
Talent is often mistaken for current technical knowledge alone. But it’s much more than that. It includes adaptability, a passion for continuous learning, hybrid skill sets, and most importantly emotional intelligence and empathy. With the rise of AI, we must think of talent not just in terms of AI/ML expertise, data science, domain depth, UI/UX, or DevOps but also in terms of curiosity, ethical awareness, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Investing in people through upskilling, mentorship, and meaningful engagement is not a nice-to-have. It’s a must. Especially in a world where technology changes faster than job descriptions. The best tools won’t deliver results if the people behind them aren’t ready, willing, and inspired.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to bridge that gap. We must show our teams the future, give them reasons to believe, and empower them to own the journey.to a solution and an opportunity for innovation.
In the end, sustainable transformation isn't about stacking the latest technologies or reacting to short-term trends. It's about the synergy between the right tools, the right talent, and the right mindset.
Thinking ahead helps us navigate complexity with clarity.
Tools, when chosen wisely, become force multipliers.
Talent, when empowered, becomes the engine of innovation.
As I reflect on the technology industry over the past 15 years and look ahead, I truly believe the triple T Talent, Tools, and Thinking Ahead will be central to shaping what’s next. In this industry, where today's innovation becomes tomorrow’s legacy, nurturing talent with foresight and equipping it with the right tools and opportunities for learning and experimentation is essential.
How can organizations and individuals help themselves think ahead while growing? It starts with setting aside time and space for passion projects, building customer obsession, creating AI labs, and driving strategic upskilling through strong partnerships.
These three Ts don’t work in isolation they power each other. When they come together, technology shifts from being just another cost center to becoming a strategic growth driver.
In a nutshell, Talent, Tools, and Thinking Ahead form a powerful alliance that drives remarkable outcomes. How do you see these factors playing a role in your own life or work?