Charting the Path to Meaningful Digital Transformation

Athikom Kanchanavibhu, Executive VP, Digital & Technology Transformation, Mitr Phol Group

Athikom Kanchanavibhu is a leader in driving digital transformation through his wide array of expertise spanning SAP solutions, data analytics, AI, digital marketing, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and infrastructure. Athikom currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Digital and Technology Transformation and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Mitr Phol Group, where he oversees and executes diverse technology solutions that impact digital transformation, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, cloud, and data-driven innovation.

At Mitr Phol, our digital journey is not about technology for its own sake, but about meaningful transformation. From smart farming to AI-enabled operations, we see digital not as a disruption, but as an enabler of sustainability, competitiveness, and inclusion. Our success has been made possible by an incredible team, trusted partners like SAP and Microsoft, and a leadership culture that values innovation with integrity. We remain committed to shaping a future where tradition and technology coexist and elevate each other.

Our transformation mandate is expansive, touching nearly every corner of our integrated agribusiness and bio-based portfolio. We aim not just to modernize but to create value across the farm-to-table value chain, from agriculture and manufacturing to logistics and consumer-facing businesses. As such, my team acts as an internal consulting entity, driving enterprise-wide programs in AI, business transformation, risk governance, and IT modernization. All of this is anchored by a strong commitment to sustainability, with our digital agenda supporting Mitr Phol’s net-zero target by 2050.

The Role of Leadership in Driving Digital Transformation

Visionary leaders approach transformation not merely as a technology project but as a strategic imperative. They exhibit three qualities in particular: clarity of purpose, empathy, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Clarity helps define what transformation truly means for their organization, whether it’s reimagining customer experiences or redesigning internal value chains. Empathy ensures they bring people along the journey, recognizing that culture often outpaces code in shaping success. And courage allows them to make bold decisions, including embracing calculated risks and letting go of legacy mindsets or systems.

In contrast, leaders who struggle often focus too narrowly on technology adoption without aligning it to business outcomes, culture, or capabilities. Digital maturity is ultimately about orchestration, not just execution.

Empowering Employees as Active Contributors

Empowerment starts with belief and trust in people. At Mitr Phol, we created a democratized platform for innovation with initiatives like our AI ideation workshops, Power Platform hackathons, and MitrGPT digital assistant that allow employees at all levels to become solution creators, not just users.

“Digital transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate small wins, course-correct often, and keep people at the heart of everything you do”

We found that by giving employees access to tools, guidance, and a safe environment to experiment, we unlock creativity across the organization. It’s also crucial to communicate the “why” behind the transformation. When people understand the larger purpose, as in how their work contributes to sustainability or operational excellence, they take ownership and drive innovation from within.

Empowering doesn’t mean prescribing. It means enabling through capability building, collaborative structures, and celebrating bottom-up success.

Staying Competitive in the Digital World

Organizations must build both technical and human-centric capabilities. On the technical side, AI literacy, data fluency, and cybersecurity awareness are non-negotiables. With the rise of generative AI and connected ecosystems, these skills are no longer just the domain of IT; they are business-critical.

Equally important are adaptability, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic thinking. These are the “soft” capabilities that allow people to navigate change, work across silos, and align innovation with value creation.

Another oft-overlooked capability is governance. In fast-moving digital environments, having the right frameworks to manage risk, ethics, and integration ensures that speed doesn’t come at the cost of security or sustainability.

Future-Proofing Organizations Through Digital Innovation

Start with purpose, not platforms. Digital innovation must be a means to a clearly defined end, whether it’s resilience, growth, or social impact.

Second, avoid the temptation to centralize everything. Enable ecosystems within your teams, with your partners, and across regions. Innovation flourishes when ideas flow freely and failure is treated as part of learning.

Third, stay curious. The technology landscape is evolving faster than ever. Leaders who cultivate a learning mindset and invest in lifelong upskilling both for themselves and their teams will be best positioned to adapt and thrive.

Lastly, remember that transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate small wins, course-correct often, and keep people at the heart of everything you do.