From Globalization to Dual Digital Transformation: CEO Thierry Breton Leading Atos Into 'Digital Shockwaves'

Teaching Note for HBS Case Nos. 419-027 and 419-046. Thierry Breton, chairman and CEO of IT company Atos, faces a pivotal juncture. After spending eight intense years scaling the company globally to over 100,000 employees in 70 countries, he sees digital shockwaves swelling on the horizon. Recognizing that technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things would cause transformative disruption and become the key source of competitiveness for companies, Breton has set Atos on the path toward dual digital transformation: redesigning the underlying processes and competencies of an organization to become more adaptive through digital capabilities while simultaneously guiding customers through the same changes. He has secured a high-profile partnership with Google to deliver cloud design and artificial intelligence to customers. But now that the deal has been announced and the dual digital transformation journey is underway, Atos has to deliver. The firm’s top leadership is split on how to equip Atos’ large workforce for the radical shift. In one view, Atos needs to motivate the majority of its employees to voluntarily complete digital certification programs. In another view, on-the-job learning is the best way to train both technical and non-technical employees in the digital skills relevant to their respective roles. Breton has to determine which approach will be the fastest and most effective way of upskilling his workforce to meet the digital shockwaves pulsing throughout all industries.