Most organizations recognize that digitization simultaneously is one of the biggest opportunities and risks they will face in the near future. However, many do not fully grasp that time is of the essence. The question facing boards is deceptively simple: Are we capable of thinking like a born-digital company, and do we have the competencies that we need to compete?

We encourage companies to assess their digital readiness by using a suitable framework. This issue of Board Perspectives discusses five levels of digital maturity: digital skeptic, digital beginner, digital follower, digitally advanced and digital leader.