[iN’s Night #2] Frontline Managers Speak the Truth: Breaking Through Digital Transformation Barriers

On the road to transformation, none of us stand alone.

As night fell and the warm glow of light reflected softly off the edges of wine glasses, the air carried more than just the aroma of good food, it carried a deep sense of resonance and connection.

Welcome to iN’s Night, a gathering created for professionals navigating the challenges of digital transformation. More than an event, it was a fireside conversation, a space where real emotions, hard-earned lessons, and authentic stories came together to inspire and empower.

Catherine: The Gentle yet Resilient Strategist

Coming from the highly regulated world of financial holding companies, Catherine speaks with both grace and strength, her sharing weaves together a delicate yet powerful tapestry of strategy. She reminded everyone that the true starting point of transformation isn’t found in grand slogans, but in solving real business pain points right in front of us.

 

In the financial sector, countless regulations exist like stars in the sky. Catherine’s expertise lies in connecting these rules with the company’s existing systems turning technology into a tool for managing complexity. Yet she emphasized that technology only sets the stage; the actual challenge is the ‘human’

 

Catherine deeply understands that to drive change, a compelling story was essential -A narrative that would get a nod from both subsidiary managers and the FHC’s top brass. She transformed a single system implementation into a group-wide information strategy, teaching us that before any project begins, a strategic briefing is far more critical than the code itself. It serves not only as a bridge for communication but also as a tool for alignment and resource mobilization.

 

She also shared how to identify internal allies using one department’s urgent needs as a breakthrough point and gradually turning small victories into long-term organizational momentum.

In Catherine’s story, digital transformation isn’t a cold, technical revolution, but a human-centered practice built on empathy, strategic thinking, and the art of communication.

Edward: The Bold Pathfinder Across Industries

If Catherine’s story was one of careful strategy and thoughtful planning, then Edward’s was a tale of fearless exploration and bold transformation. As the Associate Director of Digital Transformation and Business Strategy for his group, he opened with a line that instantly captured the room:
“If you don’t pursue digital transformation, you’re waiting to die.”
“If you do, you’re asking to die.”

 

The audience burst into knowing laughter because behind the humor lies the harsh reality every transformation leader faces. That one sentence set the tone for a talk filled with courage, innovation, and hard-won lessons.

From launching the groundbreaking “Coffee Subscription” concept at Hi-Life convenience stores, a move that challenged every internal rule yet ultimately created a new business model to driving digital change in the traditional hearing aid industry at Colin, Edward has consistently defied convention. Faced with deep-rooted resistance, he used data transparency to gain top-down leadership support and open up new career paths for frontline staff, turning opposition into momentum.

 

Each of his projects could have ended in failure but instead, he carved out new paths to survival in spaces where others saw only risk.

Perhaps the most striking story came from his experience at Keding Enterprise, a company in what many would call a “traditional” building materials industry. Yet, as Edward revealed, it was one of the most digitally advanced organizations he’d ever worked for, integrating AI into everyday sales and customer service processes and even replicating Taiwan’s business model overseas.

 

Edward’s journey shows that the heart of transformation lies not in how modern an industry is, but in the mindset of its leaders. He closed with his now-signature formula:

Mindset → Behavior → Capability
A simple yet powerful evolution chain that serves as a clear roadmap for successful transformation.

 

Gathering Light, Moving Forward with Warmth

As the two speakers concluded their talks, the room buzzed with lively discussion. Participants realized that whether they came from finance, retail, or manufacturing, the pain of “hitting a wall” felt remarkably similar—and the joy of “breaking through” was equally inspiring.

This is the true essence of iN’s Night, bringing together professionals from different fields, uniting them into a community where experiences are shared, insights are exchanged, and encouragement is found.

 

As glasses clinked softly, what people exchanged wasn’t just business card, but courage and confidence for the challenges ahead.

The road to digital transformation is long and full of twists, but tonight’s stories reminded everyone that no one walks it alone.

With open hearts, a willingness to share, to listen, and to keep learning, we will ultimately discover the narrow gate to success beyond that seemingly impenetrable wall.

 

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Published by iNSearch 卓恩管理顧問有限公司
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