230. Starbucks vs LEGO: A Tale of Two Digital Transformations

Why do some companies nail digital transformation while others just waste millions?

In this episode you'll learn from two very different case studies: Starbucks and Lego.

The founder of Starbucks, the company that pioneered mobile ordering, is now saying they went too far with tech. Meanwhile, LEGO transformed from a wooden toy maker into a digital powerhouse without losing its magic.

Why did one succeed and the other fail? Listen to this episode to find out.

You'll learn:

• Why having great tech stats doesn't mean you're winning (just ask Starbucks)
• How LEGO got digital right by being boring first 
• The real reason most transformations fail (spoiler: it's not about the technology)
• Why "going digital" without a soul is like getting plastic surgery to fix your personality 

This episode is a must listen for corporate leaders planning their digital strategy, founders building tech companies, and investors who want to spot the next LEGO, not the next digital disaster.

Timestamps 

00:00 Introduction

01:30 The Digital Transformation Dilemma

03:08 Starbucks: A Case Study in Digital Overreach

05:56 Lego: Embracing Digital to Enhance Core Values

09:47 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Digital Transformation

15:46 Practical Steps for Successful Digital Transformation

For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/230-starbucks-vs-lego-a-tale-of-two-digital-transformations

Sources used to make this episode:

1. MIT: Transforming the LEGO Group for the Digital Economy
2. McKinsey: Common pitfalls in transformations: A conversation with Jon Garcia
3. GeekWire: As Starbucks slumps, Howard Schultz says coffee giant should 'reinvent' mobile ordering

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