Innovation often demands bold decisions, especially in the face of legacy challenges and unforeseen obstacles. Denver Naidoo, Chief Data Officer at Old Mutual Insure, highlighted the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and strategic reflection. His narrative illustrated how a decisive pivot during a critical project not only salvaged their efforts but also paved the way for long-term success and sustainability.
Recognising the Need for Change – Denver opened with a vivid analogy: navigating a mountain trail with a mismatched map, where pressing on could risk failure, or pausing could unlock a better path forward. At OMI, this metaphor mirrored their experience with replacing a 24-year-old legacy platform. Despite the robustness of their data model—capable of answering complex insurance questions and integrating with advanced AI models—the platform’s performance faltered when implemented on AWS.
Faced with the choice to soldier on or recalibrate, OMI chose the latter. This decision, while bold, was rooted in a commitment to future-proof their architecture and maximise their technological investment.
Upon pausing, OMI reevaluated its technological stack, which included tools like Redshift and AWS Glue. After thorough analysis, they opted to refactor their architecture around Databricks. This shift marked a turning point. As one of the first organisations globally to implement Databricks on an AWS multi-account landing zone, OMI undertook a monumental task requiring collaboration with top-tier partners and stakeholders.
Denver emphasised the importance of rallying support from senior executives at Databricks and Amazon to align efforts towards a unified goal. This collaborative approach enabled OMI to execute the implementation faster than anticipated, underscoring the power of strategic partnerships in achieving transformative outcomes.
The Earnix 2024
Industry Trends Report
Detailed insights into the latest trends, strategies driving innovation, and the role of technology in shaping future performance.
Interested in Learning More?
For even more insights into these trends and key findings from the research, download the 2024 Industry Trends report today.
Building Future Sustainability – The decision to pivot mid-project yielded multiple benefits, both immediate and long-term. Key outcomes included:
- Upskilling the Workforce: Junior staff played a pivotal role in reengineering the semantic layer, advancing their expertise and career trajectories. Many progressed to intermediate and senior roles, demonstrating the developmental impact of hands-on innovation.
- Refocusing Talent on High-Value Activities: By addressing foundational issues in the data architecture, OMI freed its data science team to focus on value-added initiatives. This shift allowed the organisation to leverage AI and GenAI models to optimise underwriting margins and other strategic operations.
- Achieving a Performance Breakthrough: The reengineered platform delivered the scalability and efficiency needed to meet OMI’s long-term objectives, reinforcing the value of their bold pivot.
Denver’s reflections underscored critical lessons for organisations navigating transformation:
- Pause to Reflect: In the face of setbacks, taking time to reassess can reveal opportunities for improvement that might otherwise be overlooked.
- Embrace Collaboration: Engaging with external partners and stakeholders fosters a shared vision and accelerates problem-solving.
- Prioritise Sustainability: Rather than opting for short-term fixes or “tick-box” solutions, aim for systems that provide enduring value and adaptability.
- Invest in People: Transformative projects offer opportunities to upskill teams, ensuring that talent development complements technological progress.
Delays and obstacles, far from being setbacks, became catalysts for growth at OMI. The reengineering process not only improved their platform but also enhanced organisational capabilities, from technical expertise to operational efficiencies. This approach exemplifies how embracing change with boldness and strategic intent can yield transformative results.
Denver concluded with a resounding message: “Be bold.” Success in the modern technological landscape requires more than perseverance—it demands courage to pivot, reflect, and adapt.