Fortune
In the last two decades, HP has seen a gradual decline in its position within the Fortune 500 rankings. In 2006, the company held the 11th spot on Fortune's list of the largest companies in the U.S. by revenue, competing closely with IBM for dominance in the technology sector. However, as of this year, HP has fallen to 84th place, overtaken by industry giants such as Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft.
To regain its competitive edge against these tech leaders, HP is implementing a strategic shift. According to Rajendra Sitompoel, HP's Chief Technology Officer for the Nordics and Benelux regions, "We're going through a transition from a hardware focus to a solution and experience focus."
This transition necessitates a more profound understanding of the challenges clients encounter, as well as the identification of technologies and services that can provide effective solutions. Sitompoel elaborates on the execution of this new strategy, the challenges associated with safe AI adoption, and how he motivates his technology teams.
Priorities: What's your big focus for 2026?
Having expanded my role to encompass the Nordics about six months ago, my primary focus has been to effectively manage this transition while maintaining the attention I dedicated to the Benelux region.
I prioritize engaging with clients and networking with other CIOs and CTOs. Balancing this evolution in internal responsibilities with sufficient time devoted to our clients, particularly as we navigate topics like AI, security, and numerous other agenda items, has proven to be quite challenging.
Pep talks and preparation: How did you motivate your team at the beginning of the year?
Empowering my team to operate freely while rigorously testing the security of our technology is essential. I rarely need to intervene because we collaborate with experienced professionals who understand their boundaries. The focus lies in granting them autonomy and encouraging them to deliver greater value for both the company and our customers.
Maintaining a customer-centric approach is also paramount. It is easy to become entrenched in technical specifications, but the core of our mission is to enhance workplace support. We provide an array of devices—including laptops, mice, and monitors—but the critical question is how these tools are utilized by individuals and how organizations that adopt our solutions benefit.
To effect real-world change, we must comprehend the practical usage of our devices, assess how users derive value from them, and understand their impact on daily work life. I constantly urge my team to keep this perspective at the forefront.
Worries: What's keeping you up at night?
The rapid advancement of AI necessitates that we facilitate its adoption in a safe and secure manner. It's crucial that individuals feel comfortable with this transition in their daily operations and comprehend the importance of security and resilience.
This entails being prepared to mitigate negative impacts or respond appropriately when unforeseen events occur. While we cannot control every circumstance, our clients can't either, hence the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations about security and AI adoption.
Tradeoffs: What's one compromise you've made this year to reach a more strategic goal?
We have made the difficult decision to defer certain IT investments and team restructuring efforts. Our focus is directed toward successfully navigating this transformative period, avoiding the pitfalls of implementing too many changes simultaneously.
Magic metrics: What is one number you're looking for at the end of this month to signal it's been a success?
I am keenly observing the ratio of client meetings to internal meetings. A disproportionate inclination towards internal meetings would indicate a deviation from my responsibilities. Maintaining a balanced ratio is crucial, as it serves as a barometer for my direction and effectiveness in fulfilling my role.
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