Case study

Credibility and confidence: empowering connected technology leaders

Atos

Since 2013 IfM Engage, in collaboration with Paderborn University, have helped the multinational digital transformation company Atos to nurture their talented technology specialists through the GOLD for Technology Leaders (GfTL) programme, drawing on technology, management, policy and education research from the Institute for Manufacturing.

The IfM approach

The mix of content, activities and people in our programmes along with a carefully curated and supportive learning ethos is key to helping the delegates thrive and grow. It is always excellent to discover the many ways in which participants and the company benefit.

Judith Shawcross

Head of Executive and Professional Development, IfM Engage

“The GfTL programme has significantly contributed to the professional growth, confidence and networks of the entire intake. As well as the deeper and broader understanding of Atos-focused technologies, I have seen them demonstrate stronger strategic thinking, enhanced stakeholder engagement skills and impressive innovative and responsible project solutions.”

– Swati Valsangkar, Programme Director, Atos

About the programme

IfM Engage have led the co-design and co-delivery of GOLD for Technology leaders (GfTL) since 2013, in collaboration with the Atos Global Talent Team and Paderborn University. GfTL is a bespoke six-month programme for Atos, designed to empower Technology Leaders to become trusted advisors to colleagues, clients, and partners.

Through a blend of tailored curated content and collaborative team projects, carefully selected participants learn to integrate technology, business, and social responsibility to develop innovative, value-adding solutions. The programme fosters key capabilities for the company while providing individuals with opportunities to enhance their skills and build a diverse, international professional network. In this ever-changing world, the programme evolves each year to stay aligned with shifting company priorities.

The starting point

Having always been an ambitious person, Samia Jnini was determined to be recognised as a top talent in Atos. Keen to build a high level, executive view on technology to expand her strategic capabilities, Samia identified the GfTL as the right talent programme for her and was selected having been nominated by her line manager and with strong support from senior colleagues.

A further motivator for Samia was access to a truly global network. Although she worked at a global level, her projects were mostly Europe centred. The immersive nature of GfTL would enable her to grow her global network as well as develop her strategic thinking and technical knowledge through learning with others. “I had very little contact with colleagues from South America, the US or India so getting this view was something I was looking forward to,” says Samia.

Samia’s IT career began in 2011 after studying Information Systems, followed by a Master’s degree in Design and Management of Complex Information Systems. She held technical roles alongside completing an MBA and joined Atos in 2016 as a senior consultant in digital transformation. Progressing through the organisation, Samia enjoyed being at the frontier between business and technology, meeting with customers to understand their problems and help them find an optimal solution. She moved from the consulting business in 2022 and is currently the Head of Generative AI Service Line.

The GfTL journey

During the six-month programme Samia and her cohort completed four taught modules, two online, and two in person – the first at Paderborn University and the final module at the University of Cambridge. Throughout the programme, teams of participants collaborated on in-company projects guided by expert tutors. This culminated in a presentation to Atos senior executives showcasing new technical solutions that solve problems and deliver value to customers and the organisation.

Collaborative learning was a key element for Samia, where being one of the youngest members of the intake and less hands-on technically than others was not a disadvantage. She was encouraged to bring a different way of thinking to discussions and give viewpoints that others didn’t necessarily have.

The project work demonstrated to Samia the impact of getting the best from everyone, and incorporating multiple high-level perspectives in all aspects of problem solving. She also now sees that her kind of thinking has great value.

The most significant skills Samia developed were strategic thinking and enhanced teamworking. The ability to look at the big picture and understand the part that everyone plays to formulate a plan for the future and embrace change has been very powerful. She realised that being able to talk about something and explain it at a high level is as eligible as going into the detail. Samia’s experience on GfTL is testament to the transformational outcome of this talent development programme.

“GfTL has given me a lot of confidence and belief in my place in the organisation. I trust more in the value I bring to the table.”

– Samia Jnini, Head of Generative AI Service Line, Atos

Programme impact

Since GfTL, Samia has focused on applying her learnings into her current role and is creating opportunities to enable her team to continue to thrive. Her lasting impact includes:

Effective teamworking and communication: Samia works with and through others ensuring that people play to their strengths to get even more from the team. She encourages achievement by leveraging expertise through collaboration, idea generation and engagement.

Strategic thinking with an end-to-end perspective: Samia is able to approach challenges with a more holistic and global view, understanding all perspectives and developing plans which embrace change.

Personal and professional growth: Samia has recognised increased confidence and a positive mindset change in herself enabling her to broaden her aspirations and seek new experiences. She feels legitimate in what she does and brings something different “being wired the way I am”.

The growth opportunities that having a globally diverse cohort brought to the programme has made a lasting impression on Samia, enabling her work to benefit both Atos and its customers.

“It’s everything we learned about listening to others, understanding how they communicate, how you convey the message, how you find a solution where everyone comes out a winner” says Samia, “we had a great dynamic, great people, great relationships and it was like chemistry. It was one of the best human experiences I’ve had in Atos.”

“As executive Sponsor of the Gold for Technology Leaders Programme it is always a great pleasure for me to see the development of our technology leaders. They move from being ‘the expert’ and sole problem solver to be being an expert, leader, facilitator and enabler of teams; growing skills that generate value for Atos and our customers.”

– Darren Austin, SVP Global CTO – Gold for Technology Leaders Executive Sponsor, Atos