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Whatever space Lutz Beck is operating in, he needs to be pushing the limit. The Daimler Truck North America chief information officer (CIO) raced cars in Japan, and when home in Portland, Oregon, is likely speeding around on his motorcycle. Beck has the kind of mind that does not stop trying to redefine concepts many of us simply take for granted. He calls this “a positive attitude towards change,” but that doesn’t do it justice.
Beck is always on, and he aims to push new IT Leadership concepts, because whether it’s advancing the capabilities of technology, the startup space, venture capital, or the intersection of the three, Beck is a finely tuned machine built to drive innovation.
The Executive Council Network
The CIO is a founding member of the Executive Council Network (ECN), an exclusive consortium of some of the foremost thought leaders in the corporate space. The mission: “Elevate Executives to Drive Global Impact.”
“There is a different kind of behavior in a startup environment. Their motivation is different.”
Lutz Beck
The ECN boasts expertise from Fortune 500 and Fortune 2000 companies including Google, Microsoft, PepsiCo, T-Mobile, Intel, Amazon Web Services, AT&T, Deloitte, Nike, and others.
“This is a network where you take leaders from different industries, founders from startups, venture capital companies, and private equity,” Beck says. “Looking at developments in your own industry might not be giving you the right perspective; you need to look around. We meet regularly to discuss different topics and connect with our global community.”
But for Beck, discussing new perspectives and challenging the status quo is only the first step. The ECN has built a unique venture fund on the lookout for companies that are developing the next generation of intelligent enterprise software products. ECN members have the opportunity to participate in various roles and functions, including angel investments, support in startup due diligence, partnerships, and advisory roles among others.
The connection to startup culture is a vital one for Beck to keep his teeth sharp and ready to operate on the frontlines of innovation.
“Having a constant exchange within communities such as startups helps you understand how technology can be applied in different ways thinking outside the box, ultimately adding value to the company,” Beck says. “And their perspective is so refreshing. There is a different kind of behavior in a startup environment. Their motivation is different.”
Beck provides guidance when it comes to due diligence, leadership development, and at times, says the hard truth. The CIO notes there are times in his CIO role when he simply has to say that the product developed doesn’t fit the needs of the industry, respectively it doesn’t add the expected value. Beck says his opinion and honest feedback is appreciated and that he, ultimately, has the best interests at heart for startups.
The ECN is also building a wing devoted to IT specifically to help define what the next decade of leadership in the space needs to look like. Beck’s global background, having worked in various countries around the world, enables him to be more than just a typical IT leader. Sure, he’s done his fair share of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations and consulting work, but Beck is admittedly a business mind who operates in the IT space.
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A Business Mind in IT
“I think I always had a more holistic view and a curiosity about how we could utilize new technology to do things differently,” the CIO says. “I think of the next wave of technological solutions like a bus. That bus is coming whether you’re ready or not. Are you going to be prepared when it arrives or is it going to pass you by?”
At Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Beck is in the middle of a massive effort of what he calls “process reimagining and reengineering” the organization’s entire value stream and end-to-end processes. Beck wants to see how the technology of today can redefine the innovation of tomorrow. The CIO says the organization wants to apply cutting-edge tech to reinvent processes that have only been done one way for far too long.
“We have a value-driven approach that we want to deliver on for our customers, our dealers, and our stakeholders,” Beck says. “We’ve just begun to lay that new foundation.”
That value-driven approach is paramount, Beck says. Tech implementation for technology alone won’t change anything. But breakthroughs in robotic process automation, AI, and other areas are already bearing fruit for Beck’s organization.
Beck’s professional life also symbolizes the evolving role of the CIO, which is increasingly characterized by a shift from pure technology management to broader, strategic business leadership. As technology becomes integral to every facet of business operations and innovation, CIOs like Beck are uniquely positioned to steer transformative changes and drive key business values and outcomes in the future.
“Lutz can take an idea, and with ease, help create a valuable business outcome,” says Jeff Bailey, vice president at CGI. “His innovative yet pragmatic approach to complex challenges helps DTNA stay focused on results. He is fair, honest, and models the entrepreneurial behaviors he expects from his teams. This makes the entire DTNA organization more competitive.”
But like any tech leader knows, people are still the center of every innovation. The CIO says he gently pushes his people to get out of their comfort zones and be willing to tackle something that may not necessarily align with their skill set.
“I truly believe that a person has additional capacity when it comes to growth potential,” the leader says. “But everyone needs a different approach. I think I see the possibility in people and tailor their development based on our communication, their goals, and where I can see them going. There are unlimited possibilities in the world, and I want to help people grab them. The road isn’t always smooth, but if you approach them with curiosity and passion, you can get so far.”
In an ever-evolving business landscape, efficient records management plays a pivotal role. DTNA recognized this need and partnered with CGI to streamline its processes using pervasive collaboration, flexibility, consistency, and seamless integration. Together they navigated the complexities of records management, focusing on regulatory compliance, user adoption, and steady-state support. CGI’s flexible, pragmatic approach allowed for adjustments tailored to DTNA’s complex data landscape. Practices are now applied at DTNA to efficiently handle digital records, ensuring regulatory compliance. The Microsoft Azure solution integrates with DTNA’s office suite, enhancing operational efficiencies. Optimized records management now enables DTNA to thrive in a data-driven world.
