Organisations are frantically trying to innovate in order to meet the demands of the "now" client. One has to fully understand the client's demands and requirements before any innovation can take place but are we trying too hard to Uber-ise everything we do and what are we losing in this process. Jadie Naicker will be discussing some of these challenges at the ITWeb Enterprise Mobility 2017 event at Summer Place, Hyde Park on 30 August.

ITWEB: Why do you feel the rapid evolution of technology is making it difficult to innovate?

Naicker: Innovation in its most rudimentary state is about meeting new demands or requirements through new products or processes.  In an age where start-ups sprout up every day, running extremely lean and with no technical debt (or red tape) holding them back, they are able to deliver new solutions to meet client needs simpler, quicker and cheaper. Leaving large organisations that are unable to adapt to the new era of product development to decline in market share and relevancy.

ITWeb: What advice can you offer to businesses in Africa that are furiously trying to keep up with client demands and tying to Uber-ise everything we do?

Naicker: Understanding what your client is asking for is critical in developing products or services to meet their needs, listen to what they say and don't force feed products. Adapting lean methodologies and start-up thinking has been creeping into chunky organisations of late as they have realised that being nimble and following a customer-centred (led) design is critical for success.

ITWeb: Could you tell us more about the disintermediation challenge?

Naicker: With the rise of start-ups servicing every crevice of customer needs, choice is the new "sliced bread". No longer are you forced to purchase your bundle of products under an umbrella organisation in the hope of gaining some economies of scale or even service convenience – single digital identities providing seamless product overviews are a reality and at a price you want.

ITWeb: What key points would you like delegates to take away from your talk at the ITWeb Enterprise mobility event in 2017?

That it's not all doom and gloom. I will be speaking about disrupting business models, innovation and the inertia challenge experienced by organisations today but more importantly I will explore how to navigate these waters effectively.