If you’ve been following the previous parts of this blog series on Silicon Valley, this installment might feel like a summary, tying together many of the themes we’ve explored. At its core, the misunderstanding of Silicon Valley by most in Europe boils down to one critical issue: the value placed on technology, engineering, and the people who create it.
The Low Value Placed on Technology and Engineering in Europe
In Europe, the value ascribed to high-tech and engineering—both the innovations themselves and the individuals driving them—remains disappointingly low. This attitude is evident across various sectors, from government and enterprise management to think tanks like academia and consulting firms.
Take IT, for instance. In many European companies, IT is often seen merely as a cost center, something to be outsourced to the lowest bidder. The buzzwords like "digital transformation" are thrown around, but do these companies really empower their CIOs to shape the company’s strategic direction? Rarely. Have you seen any major non-tech incumbents with a CEO who has a background in software engineering or computer science? It’s uncommon. Even in tech companies, leadership is often dominated by those with business degrees, MBAs, or backgrounds in law and finance—often former management consultants who excel at presenting and talking smart but may lack a deep understanding of the technology that drives their business.
The Silicon Valley Difference: Tech and Engineering as Strategic Imperatives
Contrast this with Silicon Valley, where the key people—those who drive companies forward—almost always have a background in programming, engineering, or product management. Even those who come from business backgrounds with MBAs immerse themselves deeply in the technology. They see it as absolutely strategic, not just as a function or a cost center. In Silicon Valley, the value placed on technology and engineering is intrinsic to the culture; it’s woven into the very fabric of how businesses are built and operated.
This focus on technology isn't just about making great products; it's about understanding that technological innovation is the engine that drives business success and creates new markets. The leaders in Silicon Valley are often those who have spent years "fiddling around with the details," taking pleasure in solving complex technical problems and turning those solutions into innovative, money-making products.
Europe's Challenge: A Cultural Shift
In Europe, we’re still struggling to fully recognize this value. The key players in companies—and in politics, for that matter—are often those who can talk smart and put on a good show, rather than those who take pride in getting their hands dirty with the technical details. This cultural difference is significant and, unless it changes, Europe may continue to lag behind in the global tech race.
The challenge for Europe isn’t just about attracting and retaining top technical talent; it’s about fundamentally rethinking how we value technology and engineering as a society. Until we see technology as a core driver of business strategy, and engineers as central to leadership teams, we’ll continue to misunderstand what makes Silicon Valley so successful.
Embracing the Value of Technology
To compete globally, Europe needs to start placing the same value on technology and engineering that Silicon Valley does. This means more than just paying lip service to innovation; it requires a shift in mindset at every level, from the boardroom to the classroom. We need leaders who understand that technology isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation upon which future successes will be built.
Until then, the gap between Silicon Valley and Europe will remain, not just in terms of innovation and business success, but in the very way we perceive and value the role of technology in our lives and our economy.
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