Post written by

Forbes Technology Council

Technology trends such as artificial intelligence are shaping the landscape for tech executives all around the world. While there are still concerns about job loss in relation to machine learning technologies, recent surveys have found that the tech is not only creating jobs, but is improving sales and customer service.

AI advances, along with virtual reality, machine learning, internet of things and blockchain, are just some of the technologies that are broadening a tech professional’s options — and headaches. Tech executives are now charged to do more, understand more, and help their business achieve more with these technological advancements. Surviving at the pace that these tech trends are developing and accelerating is a significant challenge, and makes it difficult for any technology professional to excel in their work environment.

Six members of Forbes Technology Council weigh in on the most important thing that technology executives need to be doing differently today to equip themselves and their business for success. Here is what they recommend:

1. Use Technologies To Deliver True Value

Pierce the veil of hype to find true value in the delivery of technology. Enthusiasm about blockchain doesn’t make it usable in our organizations. The confusion over the word “cyber” belies the true challenges with information assurance policy, governance and implementation. Our industry tends to wear out technologies by discussing them more than using them. Tech executives should avoid that trap and focus on how to deliver true value to their organizations using whatever technologies can be implemented. – Dave Cassidy, TCG, Inc.

2. Accelerate Innovation To Stay Relevant

The ubiquitous inexpensive internet, access to the latest knowledge from prestigious universities through MOOCs, availability of open-source code to implement the latest advances and advent of 3D printing have unleashed an unprecedented democratization of innovation and product creation. Technology executives need to leverage this external ecosystem to accelerate their innovation to stay relevant. – Abhijit Thatte, Aricent, Inc.

3. Think Globally And Trust Your Intuition

Think globally. Anything else will become too niche very soon. Surround yourself with people that think differently than you do. There will be friction, but you’ll get much further with them. Prove them wrong. You’ll hear “no” often. Take that as a challenge. Not everyone will see the possibilities where you see them. Trust your intuition and make it happen. – Maria Alegre, Chartboost

4. Build An Experienced And Compatible Team

Existing and future leaders in tech should recognize that establishing a strong company requires building one with an experienced — at least some senior positions — and culturally compatible team. In addition, cultivating a healthy work-life balance for employees early on is important for today’s tech workforce. – Gene Banman, DriveScale

5. Be Aggressive In Thought, Creative In Application

As corporate technology teams migrate from “lights on” organizations to the business revenue stream, technology executives must be both aggressive in thought and creative in application. Keeping systems and infrastructure secure and operational is only a basic requirement in today’s IT department. Executives must apply today’s technology, creatively, for their company’s benefit. – David Espinosa, ITS Logistics

6. Buy Platforms, Not Products

Always be thinking about buying platforms, not products. The idea is that products are static: You buy them and they don’t change or evolve much. Platforms are often always changing, growing and becoming more interconnected with other systems. – Eric Fogg, MachineMetrics, Inc.