Dr. Adriana Seclaman

Adriana Seclaman is Lecturer at Maastricht School of Management. She holds a PhD in Strategic Management and two masters’ degrees from which one is in Science, Technology and Society from Maastricht University and the other one from Bucharest University of Economics Studies in Business Administration, Management and Operations.

Her main research interests focuses on topics like Strategic Management, Digital Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Change Management and the role of Technologies in Sustainable Development.

Adriana is involved in the MaastrichtMBA programme as instructor at the Online MBA course on Digital Business.

WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION WITH MAASTRICHT?

After finishing my PhD I felt like my educational journey was not yet finished and therefore, I chose to do another Master at Maastricht University. This was a Master in Science, Technology and Society as I was always fascinated by the relationship between these topics. After developing myself further academically, creating close friendships and being hired by the Maastricht School of Management (MSM), Maastricht became my home.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO BECOME A LECTURER?

I was a curious child and was always eager to learn, this did not become less when I became an adult. As I love learning, working as a lecturer, gives me that continual freedom of gaining knowledge about new things. Sharing my knowledge and continuous learning from my students is also part of my motivation to become a lecturer.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITHIN THE ONLINE TRACK?

I am the instructor in Digital Business course. This topic links multiple disciplines and fields in an interesting and dynamic course. I like this course very much because every time I am involved in teaching it, I learn more new things.

YOU WILL BE THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THE ONLINE MBA COURSE ON DIGITAL BUSINESS. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR LESSONS DURING THIS COURSE?

Digital technologies are evolving every day. Digitalisation has become an essential element of society’s basic structure. For the last years, we have already seen the integration of the digitalisation in almost all areas and sectors of economy. Today, digital technologies are transforming every aspect of business models. There is no time for the organisation to wait. Digitalisation redefines not only how organisations use technology, but also how people and processes must adapt to this new reality driving radical changes in the business models in every industry. Digital transformation is not about deploying the state-of-the-art digital technologies in all functions of the organisation, it is about strategy, leadership and new ways of thinking and working.

At the end of the course the students will have a good knowledge of the fundamental components of digital transition, the five domains of digital transformation (customer, competition, data, innovation, and value), how to rebuild their organisation and they will be able to master disruption and adapt and grow any business in the digital age. This will be achieved not only by envisioning the digital strategy and building organisational and digital capabilities, but also by understanding what separates businesses that manage to adapt and thrive in an uncertain world from those that fail.

SINCE THE CURRENT CRISIS HAS LOCKED DOWN THE WORLD, ORGANISATIONS CHANGED RAPIDLY. HOW DO YOU THINK THIS NEW WORLD WILL BE FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS ON THE TOPIC OF DIGITALISATION?

Digitalisation will be everywhere; we will move from the internet of everything to the internet of everywhere. Organisations cannot survive without starting their digital transformation. Steve Case in his book “The Third Wave” is saying that “the moment where the Internet transforms from something we interact with to something that interacts with everything around us.” will make us to rethink our relationships with customers, competitors, and governments.

WHAT ARE YOUR LESSONS LEARNED DURING THIS PANDEMIC CRISIS AND WHICH CHANCES DO YOU SEE THE NEAR FUTURE FOR COMPANIES ON THEIR ORGANISATION OF APPLYING THEIR DIGITAL STRUCTURES?

This pandemic crisis accelerated the digital transformation of most organisations. Digital transformation is not a choice anymore. It is the only way for any organisation to survive and grow. More than ever the organisation structure requires an agile approach. Being prepared to change fast will be the only thing to keep organizations alive during this pandemic crisis.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY PROUD OF PROFESSIONALLY?

I am always very proud of my students who are eager and show the willingness to learn and grow. I am proud being part of such a great education institute as MSM, who has a long and great history of providing education in emerging economies for better global management.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING PERSONAL WITH THE READERS?

Reading! I love gathering knowledge so I read constantly, all the time, every single day. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends. The simplest things in life give me the most pleasure: taking long walks, cooking for friends, visiting new places, watching a movie or listening to good music.