Digital Literacy for the CXO: Don’t Let the Elephant Take Over

Digital Literacy for the CXO: Don’t Let the Elephant Take Over 

When did “digital literacy” become a thing? I remember it clearly. It was the early 1980s, and I was in college at Texas A&M. That’s when I first encountered what felt like magic: the IBM Displaywriter. It was one of the first word processing systems I’d ever used—a powerful business tool that let you edit, save, and print without retyping a whole page. It ran on 8" floppy disks that filled up fast, but at the time, it felt like we were working with space-age technology. Compared to electric typewriters and carbon paper, it was light years ahead. That’s when it clicked for me: technology was going to change everything about how we do business—and I wanted to be part of it.

In 1985, I moved to San Antonio and continued college at UTSA. That’s when I went to work for an IBM Value-Added Reseller (VAR), where I was trained in all of IBM’s software tools—IDDU, QUERY, and more—and eventually began teaching clients how to use them. If you think learning digital tools is hard now, try mastering early data definition utilities with no graphical interface. You had to be a literal genius just to understand what they were for. But I was determined to learn and translate that knowledge into real business applications. That’s where my digital roots really took hold.

And honestly? It was overwhelming.

Tech overwhelm isn’t new. We were just as unsure then as many people are now. But the difference is: back then, tech moved slower. Today, it evolves daily. And that’s exactly why standing still in fear is the fastest way to get left behind.

Enter the Cloud

Fast forward a couple decades and we faced another major shift: cloud computing. Suddenly, everything we were used to—hard drives, floppy discs, physical backups—was disappearing. No more printing reports for safekeeping or burning discs to share files. Instead, we were told to store it all somewhere out there. In the “cloud”.

That was a massive leap of faith, especially for business owners who had always relied on paper trails and physical storage. The idea of trusting your files, your customer data, your entire business operations to the cloud felt like jumping off a cliff—hoping the parachute opened on the way down.

But once again, those who adapted found themselves with better efficiency, better collaboration, and more time to focus on growth. Those who resisted? They struggled to keep up as the digital economy surged ahead.

Digital Overwhelm Is Real—But So Is the Cost of Ignoring It

If you’re in your 50s or 60s and feel like the digital world is racing past you, you’re not alone. I hear this all the time:

• “I recognize the importance of having a stronger digital presence, but I’m uncertain about where to begin.”
• “The pace of technological change feels relentless—and at times, overwhelming.”
• “I’ve fallen behind in a world that’s constantly moving forward—and I’m not sure how to re-enter the conversation.”

You’re not stuck because you’re incapable. You’re stuck because no one ever handed you a roadmap.

Back in the ’80s, we didn’t need to master everything overnight. We learned through manuals, workshops, and a whole lot of trial and error. What made it work was structure—a system that taught the basics and built on them over time.

That’s what today’s small business owners are missing: a framework. Not another tool. Not another list of “must-dos.” But a step-by-step guide that builds digital confidence and shows you what actually matters for your business.

Or Maybe You Did Keep Up—But Now the Game Has Changed

Or maybe you did keep up. You adapted to email. You started using cloud repositories like Dropbox or Google Drive to share files. Maybe you even taught yourself how to edit a graphic in Canva or figured out how to collaborate using Google Workspace—Google’s cloud-based suite of tools that includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more. You’ve stayed in the game. But here’s the truth: we’ve leaped again. Software has become more sophisticated, more integrated, and more robust. And the biggest disruptor of all? AI. Artificial Intelligence has reshaped how we create, communicate, analyze data, and even market our services.

Even if you feel like you’ve kept up, the moment you start a business, the playing field changes. Suddenly, it’s not just tools for convenience—it’s strategy for survival. Everything operates at a much larger scale, and knowing how to use the technology is only half the battle. You have to know how to make it work for you—and that includes understanding where AI fits into your business model before your competitors beat you to it.

Digital Illiteracy is the #1 Reason Businesses Don’t Grow

Let’s call it what it is. Businesses that aren’t growing almost always have one thing in common: outdated systems and a lack of digital strategy.

No automation. No online visibility. No tools working together behind the scenes.

And it’s not for lack of effort. It’s for lack of digital literacy. That comfort with modern business tools, language, and workflows that let you grow without being chained to every task.

You don’t need to become a software expert or learn every app. You just need a strong starting point—and a plan to build from there.

The First Step? Just Start. The Rest Can Be Learned.

Progress doesn’t come from knowing it all. It comes from starting.

• Set up your email marketing platform
• Learn to schedule your social media
• Use cloud tools to manage documents, invoices, and CRM
• Automate one simple process that drains your time

And don’t go it alone. That’s what LAUNCH with Innovate is for. I created this program because I’ve seen how digital overwhelm stalls businesses. But I’ve also seen how quickly they grow when they finally get a framework—and a little faith.

Age Isn’t the Obstacle—Inaction Is

The same fears that kept people clinging to typewriters in the ’80s—and clinging to paper in the cloud revolution—are showing up again. But fear doesn’t have to be your showstopper. The big elephant in the room is not going to go away by doing nothing. That elephant is going to take over the room, make a bed, invite himself to dinner, tell you stories that make you feel like a failure and prevent you from achieving your goals.

Time isn’t the problem—hesitation is.

You don’t have an expiration date, and neither is your ambition to create new business opportunities. You’re not too old. You’re not too late. You just need a plan—and someone to walk it with you.

Ready to make your move? Join the free LAUNCH 101 Webinar and get the clarity, confidence, and step-by-step structure you need to stop doubting yourself. It’s like going to see a great therapist who can make everything better. Walk away feeling relieved, enlightened, and with renewed confidence.

👉Claim Your Spot – I’ll see you inside.