Chandan Trehan at Bosch North America discussing the importance of making mistakes in the digital sphere and promoting digital literacy

In a keynote speech at the Red Sofa during the Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America 2025 event, Chandan Trehan, the digital supply chain and logistics leader at Bosch North America, shared his key insights on leading successful digital transformation initiatives.

Trehan emphasized that simply adopting new technologies is not enough. He stressed that companies must understand why they are transforming and recognize the urgency behind it. Trehan urged organizations to aim high and set up audacious goals for transformation.

The digital transformation approach advocated by Trehan is people-centered. He encouraged companies to involve employees early and often in the process, building a culture where it's safe to acknowledge and learn from mistakes. Trehan also highlighted the importance of maintaining the end goal, learning along the way, and supporting teams with quick wins to ensure progress.

Trehan did not elaborate on specific digital transformation strategies or initiatives at Bosch North America during his speech. However, he did mention that Bosch runs a "digital fluency programme" to ensure every employee has a basic understanding of digital tools, including AI. This programme, Trehan explained, aims to reduce fear and encourage grassroots innovation.

Frontline employees at Bosch have identified AI use cases that improve their work due to the digital fluency programme. Trehan believes that breaking digital transformation into smaller projects allows for flexibility, enabling organizations to adapt and respond to changes more effectively.

The Red Sofa event featured interviews with several Bosch executives, including Ekaterina Serban, Jessica Hanson, and Dr Birgit Boss. Trehan's speech was one of many discussions related to automotive logistics and supply chain digital strategies that took place at the event.

Trehan advised companies to be open about false assumptions and to be willing to change strategies when needed. He emphasized the need for open, digital, and agile mindsets in the context of digital transformation.

In conclusion, Trehan's insights provide valuable guidance for organizations embarking on digital transformation journeys. By focusing on the people, setting ambitious goals, fostering a culture of learning and innovation, and breaking transformation into manageable projects, companies can navigate the complexities of digital transformation and drive meaningful change.

Chandan Trehan at Bosch North America discussing the importance of making mistakes in the digital sphere and promoting digital literacy