In an era where technological advancements are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, organisations are grappling with the challenge of harnessing emerging technologies to drive smarter service delivery. Recognising the value of collaboration to navigate this complexity, Liquid recently hosted our first Future Led workshop – a forum designed to foster meaningful conversations, generate insights and derive value from cross-functional expertise.
The central question we explored was: What makes breaking ground with emerging technologies different from our experience to date with large-scale digital transformations?
The answer lay in one word – uncertainty. Unlike traditional digital transformations, where there are established roadmaps, best practices and defined outcomes, the realm of emerging technology is fraught with “unknown unknowns”. This heightened level of uncertainty can often lead to planning paralysis, making it imperative for organisations to rethink their approach to innovation and change.
Sam Daley, Partner at Liquid, led teams in a workshop focussed on navigating emerging technologies for smarter service delivery.
Collaboration the key to unlocking value
To address these challenges, we brought together a diverse group of organisations, each facing similar hurdles in navigating emerging technologies. Guided by Liquid’s expert facilitators, participants engaged in deep discussions, drawing on a rich mix of craft skills from different sectors.
Collaboration was at the heart of the workshop. Participants shared their unique experiences, surfaced key challenges and explored ways to transform uncertainty into actionable knowledge. Through structured discussions and practical exercises, they examined how to move from ambiguity to clarity, breaking down daunting obstacles into manageable, strategic steps.
The Future Led workshop brought together a group of organisations, each facing similar hurdles in navigating emerging technologies.
From “unknown unknowns” to “known knowns”
A crucial takeaway from the session was the need for organisations to develop frameworks that enable them to systematically uncover unknowns and convert them into tangible insights. By leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise, participants gained a clearer understanding of:
- how emerging technologies differ in their adoption and impact compared to past digital transformations
- the importance of cross-functional collaboration in uncovering blind spots and mitigating risks
- strategies to overcome planning paralysis and build confidence in decision-making.
During the workshop, teams explored how co-design principles can drive smarter, future-ready service delivery by aligning emerging technologies with the needs of users, teams and organisations. They tackled the challenge of ensuring that technology adoption remains people-centred, sustainable and aligned with operational and strategic goals.
We used a first principles approach to guide the discussion, helping participants focus on the fundamental aspects of delivering sustainable innovation. By working through structured problem statements, participants developed actionable strategies for turning uncertainty into known knowns. The process enabled them to better understand challenges, uncover blind spots, and create pathways for implementing technology in a meaningful way.
Structured discussions helped participants examine how to break down obstacles into manageable strategic steps.
The power of working together
At Liquid, we have long championed the idea that collaboration delivers the best outcomes. Our 25-year history has taught us that when individuals from different disciplines come together, they unlock new possibilities that would be impossible in isolation. This belief came to life in the Future Led workshop, where participants not only explored the immense potential of emerging technology but also gained valuable perspectives from one another.
The session reinforced the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and shared learning. By bringing together expertise from across sectors, organisations can push the boundaries of what is possible, solving previously intractable problems and shaping the best possible futures.
As we look ahead, it is clear that the path to smarter service delivery is not a solitary one. It requires collective effort, an openness to uncertainty and a commitment to learning from one another. By working cross-functionally and embracing collaboration, we can navigate the unknown with confidence and clarity.
Participants shared perspectives of the immense potential of emerging technology.
How Liquid can help your team
If the challenges highlighted in this article sound all too familiar, and your organisation is similarly grappling with how to effectively harness emerging technologies for smarter service delivery, please contact us. We can host a similar workshop for your team, and help your organisation uncover unknowns and move from ambiguity to clarity.