EP14 From Architect to Business Leader with Bernard Seeto
Interview Summary: Bernard Seeto – From Architect to Business LeaderGuest: Bernard Seeto https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-seeto/Host: Ben Yu https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/ Career Journey & InfluenceBen opens by acknowledging Bernard’s pivotal influence on his own career path, especially a memorable meeting where SharePoint development was declared “dead,” prompting Ben to pivot toward architecture.Bernard reflects on that moment and shares his own journey, starting as a developer working with 3GL, VB, and client-server systems, eventually transitioning into architecture through consulting and business engagement. Why Architecture?Bernard was drawn to architecture due to his interest in design correctness, foresight, and creating long-term value.He emphasizes that architecture is about making big technology decisions and acting as an insurance policy for organizations navigating rapid tech evolution. Key PhilosophiesContext is king: Bernard stresses the importance of understanding how a business operates and makes money—something he encouraged Ben to consider early in his enterprise architecture role.Architects must bridge technical capability with business strategy, enabling scalable and executable solutions. Upskilling & Staying RelevantBernard shares his approach to staying current:Read McKinsey articles to track technologies moving from emerging to adopted.Use Gartner’s hype cycle to understand tech maturity.Follow platforms like InfoQ for practical insights.Leverage tools like ChatGPT to explore and learn faster.He’s not interested in tech for tech’s sake—he values applied technology that solves real problems. Self-Awareness & Team EnablementBernard humbly admits he wasn’t the best developer, but his strength lay in providing context and clarity to help others make better decisions.He views architecture as a way to codify ambition and scale, enabling teams to execute effectively. Staying Current & Validating InformationBernard emphasizes that keeping up with technology trends is a team effort, not a solo task. Architects must collaborate with engineers and peers to stay informed.He warns against “tech for tech’s sake,” sharing an example where AI was added to a project without clear business value—echoing research showing many AI pilots fail due to lack of purpose.On validating information, Bernard advises:Don’t blindly trust any source—including McKinsey, Gartner, or AI tools like ChatGPT.Use multiple sources and triangulate insights.Run technical spikes to test hypotheses and assess real-world applicability.Understand the long-term implications of adopting new tech, especially regarding technical debt and risk acceptance. Advice for Developers Breaking into ArchitectureBernard acknowledges the challenge: transitioning from individual contributor to someone who thinks broadly across business and technology.Key advice:Learn how the business operates and how it makes money.Understand the role of technology in enabling business models.Avoid the “ivory tower” trap—stay grounded and collaborate with those executing the architecture.Appreciate both strategic foresight and execution detail. What’s Next for Experienced Architects?Bernard outlines three emerging directions for seasoned architects:Citizen Development & Generative AIBusiness users are becoming developers via tools like ChatGPT.Architects must adapt to English as the new coding language and production-level experimentation by non-technical staff.The scope of architecture is expanding rapidly.Business Model EvolutionArchitects must understand how business models evolve—e.g., FinTech vs. traditional banking.Technology is accelerating business transformation, requiring architects to stay ahead.Ecosystem ArchitectureBeyond enterprise architecture, organizations must understand their role in broader ecosystems.Architects should design for interoperability, value exchange, and resilience across partners and platforms. Impact of AI on Enterprise ArchitectureBernard sees AI as a transformative force:It democratizes development and expands the architectural landscape.Architects must guide responsible adoption, ensuring governance, security, and business alignment.The challenge is balancing innovation with structure, especially as AI tools become embedded in everyday workflows. AI’s Expanding Role in the StackBernard highlights that AI now permeates every layer of the technology stack, from infrastructure to business processes.Architects must understand agentic AI and its role in automation, especially in designing systems where human involvement is minimized or strategically balanced.The concept of a Digital Autonomous Organisation (DAO) is becoming more plausible—routine tasks handled by AI, freeing humans for creative and strategic work. Architecture in the Age of AIThe scope of architecture is evolving:Architects must now design across people, process, and technology, with AI increasingly influencing all three.Understanding business capabilities becomes critical, as AI can now simulate or replace parts of human and process layers.Ben reflects on the leadership challenge: guiding organizations through this transformation as AI moves from pilot to production. Final Thoughts from BernardBernard leaves the audience with a humorous metaphor:“Architects know 100 ways to make love, but no one to make love to.”The message: judgment and navigation are the architect’s true value—helping organizations find the right long-term partnerships between business and technology.Architecture is about creating lasting value, not chasing every shiny new tool. Closing MessageBen thanks Bernard for sharing his journey and insights.He invites other architects—solution or enterprise—to share their stories by messaging him on LinkedIn.
New Zealand