How do you successfully digitise a business’ operations? Meet Titi Ngubane CIO at Bidvest Life

By Koketso Mamabolo

Titi Ngubane, Chief Information Officer at Bidvest Life

In July of this year Bidvest Life appointed Titi Ngubane as its new Chief Information Officer. Titi’s journey in the IT sector began in 1998, when she took part in Telkom’s Vulamasango (‘opening doors’) learnership programme. From there she spent some time as a developer, before moving into the banking sector. 

A significant part of her career was spent at FNB, where she worked in technology operations. She played a key role in digitising Ubank’s operations. “The balance of business and IT experience has been key in getting me to where I am today,” says Titi.

Here she tells us about what it takes to digitise a business’ operations, her perspective on the fintech industry and offers some tips on how you can manage multiple projects.

What are the keys to successfully digitising a business’ operations?

The first step is to get business buy-in from the very top. If the executive understands the need for digitisation, it makes it easier to drive throughout the business. Secondly, it’s critical to realise that digital transformation isn’t just about technology, but also about the culture, the people and the customers. You have to look at your current staff complement and skills, and build the capability for the workforce of the future by empowering people to work in new ways. Lastly, communication is key. Your people, customers and end users must know why you’re changing, how the change aligns to the business, and what’s in it for them.

How has the FinTech industry changed in the last twenty years?

The biggest change has been the incredible evolution of technology, which is showing little signs of slowing down. What is bright and shiny this year is outdated next year, so there’s a major focus on being as agile as possible to stay abreast of new developments. Customer behaviour is also changing rapidly, which has fundamentally affected the problems that Fintechs are trying to solve.

What changes can we expect in FinTech for the next five years?

In the next five years, the Fintechs that win the data battle will be the ones that rise to the top. The businesses that win will be those that master big data and real-time analytics in a way that gives them real insights into their customers, and enables them to provide the best customer and employee experiences, while retaining the human touch.

What are your tips on managing multiple projects?

For me, it’s all about making sure you plan and manage all your projects in the same place. The goals of each project must be clearly articulated and responsibilities assigned. Then you must prioritise: ask yourself what will impact the customer the most, and do the obvious projects first – the proverbial low-hanging fruit. And finally, be fanatical about reporting to make sure you’re staying on top of each project.

How do you keep up with all the developments in IT and apply them to the business?

It’s a combination of attending the right events and conferences to keep your finger on the pulse, and staying up to date with the latest thinking through the right blogs and newsletters. Self-improvement is a never-ending task, so I read voraciously.

What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?

When I started, IT was largely still a male-dominated industry, with a lot of stereotypes about the roles that women could fulfil. I had to work twice as hard to earn the respect of the team and to show them that I was capable. Since then, I’ve invested heavily in my personal development, and I know the importance of putting my best foot forward to show that I belong as a professional, not because I am black or a woman.

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