During the Covid-19 pandemic, Microsoft and Tech Unicorn partnered to enable digital transformation and remote hearing procedures for courts around the world. The aim was to build digital solutions that would allow judges and court staff to perform all their daily tasks in an efficient and compliant manner, within a secure virtual environment. 

The Superior Courts of Los Angeles embraced the modern courtroom design by integrating their operational workflows on Microsoft Teams through Unicorn Digital Courtroom. This included leveraging Azure Communication Services to efficiently connect courts with external parties, including attorneys, litigants, interpreters, and any relevant justice partners. 

The digital courtroom enables seamless courtroom moderation, through a single Microsoft Teams link that can be utilized by court staff to view their daily schedule and manage their workflow, while managing the movement of participants in the courtroom. It also features configurable dashboards that display application usage, attendance, and hearing details, which highlights opportunities to optimize courtroom operations.  

UDC facilitates a configurable live stream functionality that allows court staff to live-stream hearings for all users in the virtual gallery. The gallery feature offers a complete, unified and intuitive experience for relevant parties of the case and attorneys, who join hearings remotely, by providing a separate pre-hearing experience that simulates a physical courtroom hallway. In addition, it provides a channel for parties of the case and attorneys to connect, chat and call each other. It also has a link-related case function for the judge on Microsoft Teams, that provides access to case information from within the hearing screen. Furthermore, the release of feedback and survey cards within the hearing experience enables court staff to seamlessly capture and evaluate user feedback.

### Modernize your infrastructure & innovate with APIs

With Unicorn Digital Courtroom, we leverage Azure to create a unified web experience, incorporating both Azure API Management and Azure Functions for critical parts of our infrastructure. Calls to back-end services reach Azure API Management, which gives UDC a single endpoint and API gateway into its back-end services and systems. With this functionality in place, other development teams at Tech Unicorn can work on modernizing the back-end services behind the gateway, in a way that remains transparent to our client’s front-end app. 

Tech Unicorn ensures that clients can leverage tools, such as Azure Functions and Azure API Management, to create an API architecture that ensures that all APIs are monitored, managed, and secure. Rethinking the API approach by incorporating serverless technologies, has helped them to unlock new capabilities within an organization that are not limited by scale, cost, or operational resources. 

iStock-1287244680(2) 1.png

The Superior Courts of Los Angeles embraced the modern courtroom design by integrating their operational workflows on Microsoft Teams through Unicorn Digital Courtroom. This included leveraging Azure Communication Services to efficiently connect courts with external parties, including attorneys, litigants, interpreters, and any relevant justice partners. 


Azure API Management & UDC helps US Courts manage hearings seamlessly 

Although banks have extensive data at their fingertips, they often fail to unearth the behavioral insights that can lead to the creation of customized products and tailored services. By leveraging AI and analytics, banks can deliver personalized solutions at scale while building strong, lasting connections with their customers.  

Banks have one strong advantage from a consumer-service perspective: a large-scale database about their customers. They have a trove of data that can be accessed through bank statements, product preferences, spending habits, and transactional histories. Despite having access to relevant consumer insights, traditional banks often fail to extract them, due to scattered data, legacy technology and dense reporting. This makes it difficult to form a comprehensive customer view that can shape strategic direction and inform future change.  

Solutions from Tech Unicorn address these challenges directly, making it simpler to bring data into a single platform, apply the latest technology, and connect with the audience in a way that forms a lasting, tangible connection.   

### _Integrating analytics into operating models can boost profits by 30%, paving the way for personalized offerings and customized experiences - across every client segment._

### Benefits of AI banking software

Tech Unicorn uncovers the patterns within your data to deliver qualified leads and emerging trends. Through machine-learning algorithms, banks can identify evolving tendencies and respond with foresight.  

###### Include a modular approach: 
Speed and customization are intertwined. Prebuilt components, like APIs, allow banks to launch an AI solution rapidly. Modular building blocks enable banks to prioritize business lines and functions, while adding new capabilities wherever needed. All components are fully configurable and can be tailored to meet all the specific needs of the enterprise. 

###### Smart engagement models: 
Tech Unicorn designs solutions that work synergistically with your IT environment. For maximum flexibility, we offer two engagement models.  
1.  For organizations that prefer an internal capability and can maintain AI banking software, we provide an in-house build that is supported by Tech Unicorn.  
2. For banks that do not have the resources to bring AI banking in-house, our subscription-based analytics implements modern applications to your existing cloud platform. 

###### Embrace intuitive insights:
Solutions at Tech Unicorn are customer-orientated, but also banking-centric. They feature dashboards and in alignment with the business workflows and funnel that presents insights in a simple, easy-to-follow manner.  Bankers can get both visibility and transparency, as all insights are accompanied by the data observations that support them.

shutterstock_2107663907 1.png

Although banks have extensive data at their fingertips, they often fail to unearth the behavioral insights that can lead to the creation of customized products and tailored services. By leveraging AI and analytics, banks can deliver personalized solutions at scale while building strong, lasting connections with their customers.  


AI in Financial Services: customer engagement reimagined  

Microsoft Azure provides a secure cloud platform, well-suited to the IT environments of large enterprises, with strict data protection requirements. When planning your migration, it is essential to consider the main advantages of the four key migration strategies, namely, Rehost, Refactor, Rearchitect, and Rebuild. In this post, you will discover a simplified checklist to accelerate your Azure migration strategy and explore how Tech Unicorn can facilitate the entire cloud migration process for your enterprise.  

### Steps in the cloud migration process

Cloud migration is a continual process, involving organizational change, spanning multiple layers, and the incorporation of new technologies. A holistic approach will guide you during the transition, while ensuring that your organization can identify all potential benefits, such as flexibility, resilience, and expansion.  

![diagram 1.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/diagram_1_8cba7304ad.png)

### Define your modernization strategy

Analyse your motivations & understand your goals 
Define exactly why you are migrating. Document the business outcomes that you hope to achieve, as well as your motivations – like, reducing costs, enhancing productivity, or designing for future expansion. 

Align with stakeholders 
Facilitate a seamless migration process that meets all organizational goals by discussing the scope of work with all relevant stakeholders. Create a center of excellence with a cross-functional team, including IT specialists, finance experts, and entrepreneurs. 

Select a cloud migration partner 
Augment your cloud skillset while reducing risk, as you migrate current projects and workloads. Team up with an experienced service provider that offers continual support with each phase of the transition journey – from the initial planning stage, right through the final implementation.  

### Design the next move

Assess your database & infrastructure 
Obtain insights into your dependencies, using automated cloud migration tools. Analyse your infrastructure and assess your on-premise environments. This includes risk assessments, workload-level cost estimates, and performance metrics.  

Make a business case for migration
Evaluate the possible cost-savings of migrating to Azure by comparing your total cost of ownership (TCO) for Azure, with that of a comparable on-premises deployment. 

Embrace an inclusive plan 
Account for workload priorities, deadlines, resources, and funding. Segment your overall plan into migration and modernization projects - each with a group of related workloads.  

shutterstock_2057949305 1.png

Microsoft Azure provides a secure cloud platform, well-suited to the IT environments of large enterprises, with strict data protection requirements. When planning your migration, it is essential to consider the main advantages of the four key migration strategies, namely, Rehost, Refactor, Rearchitect, and Rebuild. In this post, you will discover a simplified checklist to accelerate your Azure migration strategy and explore how Tech Unicorn can facilitate the entire cloud migration process for your enterprise.  


Defining your journey to the cloud [and beyond]

The enhanced pace of digital transformation has prompted organizations to migrate their workloads to a secure cloud platform. Organizations also require a more versatile security model, that accommodates the modern-day working environment, while ensuring multilayered data protection.  

Microsoft’s Zero Trust Framework protects assets anywhere by adhering to three principles: 
1. Verify explicitly: Always authenticate, based on the available data points, including user identity, device health, anomalies, workload, and data classification.  
2. Use least privileged access: Limit user-access with just-in-time and just-enough-access (JIT and JEA), risk-based adaptive policies, and data protection. 
3. Assume breach: Minimize blast radius and segment access. Verify end-to-end encryption and use analytics to get visibility, improve threat detection, and enhance defenses. 

In this blog post, we will describe the main Azure network security services that help an organization to embrace Zero Trust, focusing on the third principle, ‘assume breach’. 

### Understand the Zero Trust model

The Zero Trust model ensures that every access request is fully authenticated before access is granted. In other words, it secures an organization by eliminating implicit trust and continuously validating each stage of a digital interaction. It is based on analytics and intelligence to identify anomalies in real-time, offering added security to all corners of the enterprise

![RWQAAU 1.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/RWQAAU_1_0078c68f21.png)

This strategic approach to security should extend to your entire digital estate, including identities, endpoints, apps, as well as infrastructure. The Zero Trust framework serves as an end-to-end strategy, with integration across all elements. 
 
The foundation of Zero Trust is identity. Both human and non-human identities need to be authenticated, authorized, and validated to maintain access to applications and data. It involves connecting from personal or corporate endpoints, from a compliant device and requesting access based on Zero Trust principles. 

As a unified policy enforcement, requests are intercepted and explicitly verified across six foundational elements before access is granted. These signals include the role of the user, their location, device compliance, data sensitivity, application sensitivity, and much more. In addition to telemetry and state information, the risk assessment from threat protection feeds into the policy engine, to automatically respond to threats in real-time. The policy is enforced at the time of access and is continually evaluated throughout the session.  

This policy is further enhanced by Policy Optimization. Governance and compliance are critical to a strong Zero Trust implementation. Security Posture Assessment and Productivity Optimization are necessary to measure the telemetry throughout systems.  

The telemetry and analytics feed into the Threat Protection system. Large amounts of telemetry and analytics, enriched by threat intelligence, generate high-quality risk assessments that can be manually investigated or automated. As cyber-attacks happen at cloud speed, defense systems must act at the same pace. Humans simply cannot sift through all the potential risks quickly enough to eliminate all possible threats. The risk assessment feeds into the policy engine for real-time automated threat protection, and additional manual investigation, if needed.  

Traffic filtering is applied to the evaluation and enforcement of the Zero Trust policy, before access is granted to any network. Data classification and encryption should be applied to internal chats, emails, documents, and structured data. As per Microsoft, access to applications should be adaptive - whether SaaS or on-premises. Runtime control is applied to infrastructure, with serverless, containers, IaaS, PaaS, and internal sites, with just-in-time (JIT) and Version Controls actively engaged. 

Lastly, telemetry, analytics, and assessment from the network, data, application, and Infrastructure are fed back into the Policy Optimization and Threat Protection systems.  

shutterstock_1975936445 1.png

The enhanced pace of digital transformation has prompted organizations to migrate their workloads to a secure cloud platform. Organizations also require a more versatile security model, that accommodates the modern-day working environment, while ensuring multilayered data protection.  


Embrace a Zero Trust policy with Microsoft Azure 

### _Banks can enhance their customer journeys by embracing digital transformation, with a consumer-centric approach. By implementing a comprehensive front-to-back approach, focused on customer value streams, banks can optimize their strategic choices._

In order to remain at the forefront of their industry, financial institutions are required to fully embrace digital transformation. However, research displays that six out of ten financial services companies fail to achieve their transformation goals. Most companies do have all six requisite digital success factors that are required to achieve transformation goals. In addition, financial institutions do not base their transformation programs on the needs of their consumers.  

For complete transformation, banks should conduct a consumer audit trail and revisit each touchpoint in the user journey. This should be coupled with an analysis of all the actions taken to fulfill a need, such as applying for a loan or making an online payment. The resulting data should be utilized to redesign underlying operating models, to ensure that they are aligned with the customer value stream. 

Banks have ample reasons to fully embrace the transformation process, as customers are increasingly relying on digital channels to optimize their daily lives.   

A consumer value stream approach encompasses all the actions a bank needs to undertake – including all front-end activities, as well as back-end actions. This allows the bank to identify opportunities for improvement and enhancement.  

### Dissecting the customer journey

The consumer journey involves the series of interactions with the enterprise. It begins when the customer first identifies a need, such as making a query or resolving a service issue and is completed when the need is fulfilled. It includes numerous decision-making points that customers encounter with the financial institution. Each interaction prompts a reaction across multiple points in the organization, which impacts both the customer and the employee experience. This chain of activity extends across the operating model, including functions that are not visible to customers, such as risk compliance and change management. (See image below) 

![MicrosoftTeams-image (4) 1.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/Microsoft_Teams_image_4_1_9d6350fd8f.png)

In each major line of business, banks typically manage around 50 customer journeys that can be grouped into five broader actions, including:  

- Assisting with the opening of a new bank account  
- Assisting with the process of borrowing money  
- Promoting the customers’ financial well-being  
- Assisting the customer with a payment or transaction 
- Resolving the customers’ query or issues 

![MicrosoftTeams-image (3) 1.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/Microsoft_Teams_image_3_1_c5098c3f91.png)

The future of banking is centered around the entire customer experience. Successful banks organize their underlying operations according to the unique needs of their customers, reflecting their perspectives in their services. They also leverage the resulting transformation of the bank from a product focus to a consumer-centric focus that motivates their employees to fulfil more than only the basic requirements. 

iStock-1162215639 1.png

Banks can enhance their customer journeys by embracing digital transformation, with a consumer-centric approach. By implementing a comprehensive front-to-back approach, focused on customer value streams, banks can optimize their strategic choices.

Transforming the Customer Journey  

According to Gartner, by 2022 90% of corporate strategies will mention data as a critical enterprise asset, with analytics as an essential competency. Many organizations presently see the need to transfer their data supply chain to the cloud to enable context-dependent, data-driven business decisions for strategic expansion. 

Although businesses deem their cloud transformation efforts to have been successful for applications, they often feel that the complexity of their data management environment is not suited to a simple, cost-effective shift. The inevitable result is that cloud initiatives are failing to deliver their full potential. 

Many enterprises hoping to transfer their data supply chain to the cloud, are choosing Microsoft Azure for the scalability and security offered by its global network of data centers. Microsoft recently raised the bar with the announcement of Azure Synapse Analytics  - a limitless analytics service that synchronizes traditional data warehousing and big data analytics into one, inclusive offer. The data migration challenge, however, still applies, prompting IT leaders to consider how they can facilitate a simple, cost-efficient cloud migration journey.  

### The new approach to data

Cloud migration should give an enterprise greater agility and enable data-driven business transformations, pivoted on Azure data services. The Tech Unicorn Data Studio for Azure serves as a next-generation framework to guide the transition of data assets to Azure. This framework unites Tech Unicorn solutions and Microsoft Azure to deliver the best of both in terms of products, platforms, and industry expertise, along with strong delivery and sophisticated risk management capabilities. Azure is recognized as the most trusted and security-compliant platform in the world, implemented by around 80% of the Fortune 500.

### Tech Unicorn Data Studio for Azure

With this foundation, the Tech Unicorn Data Studio for Azure is an inclusive solution that provides end-to-end services, including data strategy development and intelligent data management solutions that leverage automation to manage and govern data.

![MicrosoftTeams-image (1) 2.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/Microsoft_Teams_image_1_2_fab957d3e1.png)

Enterprises have instant access to skilled Azure-certified data talent (full-stack cloud data engineers and master data architects), drawn from both Tech Unicorn and Microsoft Azure. Using our Intelligent Data Suite (IDS), clients can start connecting their data value chains, while removing the complexity that comes from implementing multiple point solutions. The aim is to accelerate Azure migrations and achieve results faster. Tech Unicorn uses Agile and DevOps methods to develop outcomes-focused commercial models for their Azure journeys.   

iStock-1149306775 1.png

Many enterprises hoping to transfer their data supply chain to the cloud, are choosing Microsoft Azure for the scalability and security offered by its global network of data centers. Microsoft recently raised the bar with the announcement of Azure Synapse Analytics  - a limitless analytics service that synchronizes traditional data warehousing and big data analytics into one, inclusive offer. The data migration challenge, however, still applies, prompting IT leaders to consider how they can facilitate a simple, cost-efficient cloud migration journey.  


Business Transformations with Microsoft Azure 

Over the course of the last few years, we have increasingly encountered a new tech phenomenon, known as ‘the metaverse’. In simplified terms, it is the next iteration of the internet – one that seamlessly combines our physical and digital spheres. It can take on many shapes including, a gaming platform, a virtual retail space, a training tool, or even a portal to an entirely new virtual experience. During the first five months of 2022, more than $120 billion was invested into projects that are dedicated to building metaverse infrastructure and related technology. Though our understanding of the metaverse may still be evolving and adapting, its potential to spark the next wave of digital disruption is undeniable. As digital technologies embrace the metaverse, companies should consider how it may change the nature of their business and whether it could be utilized to their advantage. 

### The Data Universe

The metaverse is based on the convergence of multiple technologies and the proliferation of data, which combine to create significant value for users. From a consumer perspective, the result might be a virtual reality (VR) gaming platform, while for businesses it could be a machine-learning algorithm that incorporates multiple data sets to provide optimized insights that improve strategic thinking. The metaverse includes broad categories of technology that fuse together in rich ways to create new value. It is flourishing, in part, due to the continual advancements in technologies like augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Despite seeming indefinite, its use cases are easier to identify and are also multiplying fast. (See Exhibit 1.)

![The Metaverse-02.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/The_Metaverse_02_8f893ea2d4.png)

Companies should view the metaverse as an opportunity to connect with consumers in innovative ways. This represents an opportunity to reinvent the customer experience and operational processes, providing a host of benefits, including greater convenience, higher efficiency, and enhanced engagement. Furthermore, it could lead to entirely new industries and business models.  

Where is the metaverse experienced?  
The metaverse is experienced on digital devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and VR headsets, but these are only the means of entry. The immersive potential of the metaverse can be experienced in a multitude of ways, including AR goggles or data sets produced by AI. In the metaverse, the physical world is converted into digital data and is then recreated – either as a reflection of reality or as fiction.  

For businesses, the power of the metaverse lies in the data that create these virtual representations. This data can be derived from human users and their digital devices, and a myriad of other sources. It includes multiple data layers, interconnections, and mechanisms to ensure the users' trust in each use case. (See Exhibit 2.)  

The data layers and connections include: 

- Digital content or data 
- Technology that connects the layers of digital data  
- AI, machine learning, and blockchain capabilities to link and optimize data for specific use cases to ensure that users trust the security of their experience  
- Connections between digital layers and the physical world 

![The Metaverse-03.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/The_Metaverse_03_231d09d61c.png)

### Evolution in the metaverse

The metaverse is evolving rapidly because the technologies that are converging to enable it are improving simultaneously. We see improvements in computing power, enhanced bandwidth, and better connectivity which provides higher-fidelity renderings that better mimic real-world latency. 
####  How can enterprises use the metaverse?

Companies looking to harness the metaverse need to understand how their business strategy and sustainable advantage may need to adapt as the competition develops. They should evaluate the metaverse assets at their disposal, how their value propositions will transform, and how they can monetize metaverse assets in the future.  

From a tech perspective, utilizing the metaverse for business requires companies to own and have access to data. They also need to provide robust linkages, between digital layers and the physical and virtual worlds, including IoT sensors to enable human-to-metaverse connectivity and blockchain technology. Lastly, they need to provide the tools needed to spend more time in the metaverse, such as computing power, fault tolerance, and AI. 

![MicrosoftTeams-image (1) 1.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/Microsoft_Teams_image_1_1_b20d0b2fcd.png)

![MicrosoftTeams-image (2) 1.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/Microsoft_Teams_image_2_1_d0c7622621.png)

### Build a robust metaverse strategy

(See Exhibit 4.)  

##### Embrace an agile approach 
Companies should adopt a broad vision, as the metaverse will continually evolve and mature. The willingness to explore, experiment, learn, and adapt may be the key to achieving success in the virtual space. 

##### Create a digital-twin blueprint   
Start embedding metaverse use cases into regular operations, by looking for opportunities to automate digitize operations. For example, digital twins using real-time data from current operations can be used to manage and monitor development for design and improvements.  

##### Develop digital assets  
Conduct a tech audit across the metaverse stack to identify gaps that could inhibit the achievement of your goals. Develop the technical tools and platforms needed to facilitate the implementation of the plan.  

##### Build customer trust 
Companies should strive to gain trust from consumers, by demonstrating how blockchain technology is leveraged to ensure privacy and security.   

#####  Ensure customization with AI 
The combination of the metaverse and AI enable the creation unique, customized offerings that can be a powerful differentiator. Companies should continuously update their understanding of evolving consumer trends to deliver ongoing personalized attention and engagement.   

##### Measure progress  
Create dashboards of transparent, real-time metrics, to monitor and assess product and operational performance.  

##### Ensure employee buy-in
Companies can prompt engagement from their employees in the metaverse by using the metaverse to onboard, coach, and train others. If employees experience the metaverse first-hand, they will be more likely to accept and accelerate change.  

### Growth in the virtual space

The metaverse represents a broad opportunity that encompasses significantly more than avatars, gaming, and consumer applications. Success requires a robust understanding of the confluence of business strategy and new tools enabled through the digital sphere.

iStock-1365965705 1.png

Over the course of the last few years, we have increasingly encountered a new tech phenomenon, known as ‘the metaverse’. In simplified terms, it is the next iteration of the internet – one that seamlessly combines our physical and digital spheres. It can take on many shapes including, a gaming platform, a virtual retail space, a training tool, or even a portal to an entirely new virtual experience.

Explore the metaverse: adding real value to the virtual realm 

The global pandemic prompted unprecedented organizational change, accompanying valuable insights about our productivity, while presenting opportunities for enhanced efficiency. 
 
The changed working environment prompted leadership teams to re-examine the structure of their organizations. This reflection can offer a definitive roadmap towards stronger connections, improved workflow, and new innovations.  
 

Amidst the evolving competitive landscape, Tech Unicorn has developed an integrated approach that gives organizations a competitive advantage. The future of work does not include a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, leaders and their teams need to design their own modus operandi intentionally, holistically, and thoughtfully. We recommend examining four critical areas: how we work, how we lead, how we organize, and what we need. (See exhibit) 

![MicrosoftTeams-image (2) 2.png](https://cxinternalwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/cxumediaasset/assets/Microsoft_Teams_image_2_2_ca596b059b.png)

### How we work: an adapted approach to the workplace

Embracing the organizational changes that were caused by the pandemic offers a new, revised set of work practices. This approach prompts us to reassess consumer needs, adapt our existing work models, and introduce systems for increased productivity.  

Consumer relations reimagined 
The consumer remains the central component to the future of work. To remain relevant and competitive, companies should reconsider how the consumer’s needs have changed and how their engagement channels are impacted. The digital brand home has shifted into a new gear, for example, as consumers are increasingly engaging in online experiences. Therefore, companies should consider how all pandemic-driven innovations may have accommodated customers, and how these structures can be improved. 

New employee work models  
Your selected work model should allow flexibility, collaboration, and productivity. We recommend four key considerations when designing your differentiated work model:  
1. Include both company ideals and business objectives  
2. Incorporate employee preferences  
3. Equip teams with the knowledge, new skills, and tools needed to develop  
4. Account for diversity, equity, and inclusion 

### How we lead: empowering the workforce

The significantly changed work environment, calls leaders to truly transform: to be generative, purpose-driven, and to ensure that their enterprises are aligned with prominent social issues.  
 
###### Empowering, generative leadership  
A generative approach to leaderships means working across all locations towards the needs of their employees, customers, communities, and planet, while delivering profit for shareholders. Leaders should ensure that every touchpoint serves as a positive interactive with the enterprise. This requires a strong focus on building cohesion and coaching new skills and integrating employee trust.  
 
###### Purpose-driven culture  
Companies should identify their unique purpose and should base all actions upon this foundation. This unique purpose should be embedded in strategic decisions and should guide all day-to-day interactions. This leads to the creation of a strong company culture - a key differentiator in both the commercial and talent marketplaces.  

###### Societal leadership  
We have become acutely aware of the impact that our actions have on global issues. Our responsibility, therefore, extends to more than our employees and shareholders. Every organization must discern how their action may be contributing to greater societal issues.

### How We Organize: operations rewired

Our operating models will need to be reassessed and rewired to lock in the necessary changes. This involves transforming our internal processes, organizational structure, and talent models. 
 
###### New ways of working
One of the best changes that resulted from the pandemic is that teams came together across siloes to work on the most important priorities. This resulted in priority-driven, cross functional, streamlined operations.   
 
###### Agile organizations  
Transitioning to agile-at-scale organization models will allow these streamlined, efficient, and cross-functional innovations to become more enduring. This means reinventing the structure and culture of how we work. The pandemic also had a positive impact on how organizations care for their employees, through the creation structures that account for mental well-being, health, safety, and future opportunities.  
 
###### New talent structures  
The pandemic presented a great opportunity for employees to search beyond their immediate geographic location for work opportunities that meet their needs. Companies that embrace location-agnostic hiring policies will benefit from higher quality and more diverse candidates. In addition, there are multiple tech platforms that can help enable this talent fluidity within organizations, with AI-based skills tracking allowing managers to identify opportunities for contribution. 

### What We Need

To enable these new ways of working, companies need to transform their physical workplaces, by investing in new tools that support the development of skills.  

###### Purpose-driven design 
The pandemic revealed opportunities to reinvent the workplace to ensure that it facilitates connection, affiliation, and learning. The ability of to deliver these functional outcomes becomes the new criteria to evaluate its success. This means that the office should include spaces, signage, and designs that help employees to understand their purpose.  

###### Tools and tech  
Companies should introduce shared booking tools, for on-site, hybrid and remote collaboration. These booking tools offer important data on workforce functionality and operations, allowing the company to understand how platforms are being utilized and how tools can be improved to facilitate teamwork. Companies need to take an intentional approach, ensuring that the booking systems encourage social connection, on-site affiliation, as well as learning opportunities.   

###### Learning organizations  
Learning should be completely embedded in the flow of daily work, giving every moment the prospect for innovation. Teams should collectively reflect on processes that enabling creativity while identifying systems that may be inhibiting their growth. Rotating talent, through flexible talent models, will also drive opportunities for daily learning.   

### Final thoughts  

The pandemic sparked a wave of ingenuity that has led to a revised approach to the workplace. Companies need to embrace flexibility, by continually reassessing their business models to implement changes when needed. These changes should be informed by the needs of their consumers, as well as the work preferences of their employees. This can be attained by ensuring that teams are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and environment to enhance their final outputs.

iStock-1284402138 1.png

Amidst the evolving competitive landscape, Tech Unicorn has developed an integrated approach that gives organizations a competitive advantage. The future of work does not include a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, leaders and their teams need to design their own modus operandi intentionally, holistically, and thoughtfully. We recommend examining four critical areas: how we work, how we lead, how we organize, and what we need. (See exhibit) 


Unpacking the transformed workplace

The modular approach to IT modernization presents a cost-effective method for government agencies when implementing new technologies. Government leaders face many challenges when attempting to modernize digital services, like restrictive budgets and competing priorities. The modular approach infers that digital transformation can occur incrementally, building over an extended period. This strategy aids the workforce while adjusting to new technologies while supporting internal workflows.  

###### Embracing IT modernization
IT modernization presents several advantages for government agencies, including cost savings, increased productivity, worker efficiency, and higher customer satisfaction. Furthermore, it ensures that agencies can optimize the delivery of public goods and services while benefitting from a streamlined, cohesive workflow.  

###### Understanding the modular approach 
The modular approach accompanies a host of benefits for public agencies of all sizes. It mitigates the complexity, mismanagement, and disjointed workflow that often results from the implementation of new, unfamiliar internal systems. Moreover, agencies can start their digital transformation journey with relatively few resources and without exceeding their budgets.  

When implemented effectively, the early success of new technologies will build internal buy-ins, across all lines of business. Future modernization will then also have a stronger foundation, with fewer barriers to implementation.  

###### Embarking on the modernization journey 
Government agencies should begin their modernization journey by identifying the systems that are most vital to the public, and simultaneously discern which processes are no longer adding value. Agencies should then consider the tangible return-on-investment offered through modernization.  

###### A trend turned policy 
Modularity is no longer an abstract concept, and many governments are enacting it as an official policy. Public leaders recognize the value of an incremental approach while working with executive officials to ensure a smooth transition on the path to enhanced service delivery.  

iStock-1081869336 1.png

The modular approach to IT modernization presents a cost-effective method for government agencies when implementing new technologies. Government leaders face many challenges when attempting to modernize digital services, like restrictive budgets and competing priorities. The modular approach infers that digital transformation can occur incrementally, building over an extended period. This strategy aids the workforce while adjusting to new technologies while supporting internal workflows.  


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