Disrupt with Impact by Roger Spitz

Don’t be fooled by negativity implied in the word, “disrupt,” which, by its very definition, suggests “a disturbance or problem, throwing into confusion, disorder, turmoil or disarray.”

Because where this is a problem, there is likely a solution, or an opportunity, if approached with the proper creative mindset.

Disruption these days is a way of life in the corporate world, so much so as not to generate internal chaos within a business environment when it arises but rather positive change and adaptation when the concept and cause are properly harnessed.

In his new book Disrupt with Impact, Roger Spitz, a world-leading global futurist and venture capitalist, combines rigorous analysis with practical advice to provide a roadmap for navigating this ever-evolving landscape of business and technology. His insights are timely and essential, which makes this book a valuable resource for executives, entrepreneurs or anyone seeking to thrive in disruptive times.

Staying One Step Ahead

Spitz acknowledges that disruption is no longer an occasional blip on the radar — it’s the new normal. Our world is undergoing seismic shifts from climate change to artificial intelligence, but Spitz encourages readers to embrace the opportunity for growth instead of fearing disruption. While disruption is inevitable, it brings unprecedented challenges and opportunities and empowers people to take control of relentless change and creatively shape their futures. Those who can anticipate and adapt to change will emerge as winners.

Easier said than done. The book points to the AlixPartners 2023 Disruption Index which surveyed thousands of CEOs and found: 98% believe they need to overhaul their companies’ business model within three years; 85% don’t know where to start; and 72% say their executive teams lack the agility to deal with it.

Leadership matters more than ever. The world is changing so fast with new problems faced daily. Throughout the book, Spitz touches on some of the critical challenges such as artificial intelligence, climate change, cybersecurity and biotechnology. To face these challenges and not only survive but succeed, leaders must be agile, curious, willing to unlearn old habits and should foster a culture of experimentation and empower their teams to think disruptively.

Tangible Examples of Expertise

One of the elements I enjoyed the most about Disrupt with Impact is that Spitz illustrates his concepts with compelling case studies. Some of the topics include:

• The Energy Transition: Spitz delves into the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the rise of clean tech startups, and the geopolitical implications.
• AI and Automation: AI is reshaping industries, from healthcare to finance. Spitz emphasizes the need for ethical AI and responsible automation.
• Cybersecurity: Cyber threats are on the rise. You only need to look at a newsfeed to see a new attack or fallout from the latest one. Some from 2024 are:
  • Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack in February
  • French State DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) Attack in March
  • Ascension Health System Ransomware Attack in May
  • CrowdStrike Global IT Outage in July (with cybersecurity ramifications but not actually a cyberattack)
  • Spitz recommends strategies for building resilient systems and safeguarding data.
• Disruptive Innovators: Starting with the classic example of how Netflix is “disruptive innovation,” but Uber isn’t.

Spitz winds up Disrupt with Impact with his proprietary framework. The Disruptive Thinking Canvas guides readers through a structured process of strategic thinking. It prompts questions such as:

• What assumptions underpin our current business model?
• How might emerging technologies disrupt our industry?
• What new value propositions can we create?

It serves as a compass, helping organizations navigate uncharted waters.

This barely scratches the surface on what readers will discover in Disrupt with Impact. The concepts are broken down in a way that is accessible and replicable, each section bringing new thoughts to digest and implement as part of the fabric of any business.

In a world full of books on how to be successful in business, Disrupt with Impact rises to the top. Pure gold!