Operational Excellence in the Next Normal — Guest Lecture by Mr. Eric Korman

The GHRM MBA program (GHRM536 Organizational Design and Digital Transformation) had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Eric Korman for a thought-provoking guest lecture titled “Operational Excellence in the Next Normal.” With his extensive consulting experience across global industrial giants such as Samsung, Foxconn, and the Far Eastern Group, Eric offered students a real-world perspective on the challenges and imperatives of digital transformation in today’s organizations.

Eric emphasized that digital transformation is not merely a technological upgrade, it is a comprehensive process deeply rooted in people, culture, and organizational design. He warned against perceiving transformation as simply adopting automation tools or new software systems. Instead, he advocated for a holistic approach, calling for agile cultures, psychologically safe environments, and continuous learning to support long-term success.

One key insight that resonated with students was the importance of intergenerational collaboration. Eric addressed the challenge of managing a five-generation workforce, where differences in technological fluency and communication styles may hinder transformation efforts. He highlighted that leaders must create safe environments where younger employees are encouraged to share, and senior employees feel comfortable to ask, fostering mutual support and trust across age groups.

In his reflection, IBMBA student Tsung-Han Yu(John) connected Eric’s message with his own professional background in the Formosa Plastics Group. He noted that, like the Far Eastern Group, Formosa is actively driving AI and digital innovation from the top. For example, in 2024, the group launched an AI Transformation Task Force comprising over 860 members, and its leadership has actively engaged with thought leaders like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su. However, as Tsung-Han echoed from the lecture, true transformation requires deep employee engagement and cultural change at all levels, not just at the top.

Eric also shared a powerful definition of leadership: “Leadership is the ability to inspire and influence others with vision created with strong conviction, guided by selfless purpose.”

This quote encapsulated the message that leaders must "walk the talk"—modeling the very mindsets and behaviors they expect from others. Drawing connections to academic insights, the lecture complemented recent discussions in Prof. Yang’s Global Supply Chain Management class, particularly the Harvard Business Review article “Building the AI-Powered Organization.”

We thank Mr. Korman for his invaluable insights and inspirational message. His session offered GHRM MBA and IBMBA students not just a strategic lens on digital transformation, but a human-centered approach to navigating change in today’s complex and evolving business landscape.

Written by Tsung-Han Yu (John)

Edited by IBMBA & GHRM MBA office