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That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
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\n
\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
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Latest

\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
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Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
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Latest

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A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n
\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
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Latest

\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
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Latest

\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n
\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Page 11 of 12 1 10 11 12
Search

Latest

\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n
Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

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In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n
\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

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The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n
\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

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Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

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What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

Digital Transformation is here to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is here to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

If leaders wish to stay relevant in the future adopting digital risk-taking and formulating digital strategies - if not already - will become the norm. So if leaders are not motivated by the incredible opportunities Digital Transformation in itself offers, then keeping once own job might just do the trick. Digital Transformation is here to stay and the sooner leaders get to terms with this fact the better as they will be able to take advantage from enhanced knowledge sharing, improved process efficiency, revenue growth and increased profit as findings show from Aberdeen Group study in October 2015:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is here to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

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Today\u2019s most critical decisions not only rest on the business feel and gut instinct of our leaders, but to a greater extend requires convincing insights. The involvement of data may once have been purely supporting or affirming in nature, but now plays a more central role. Even shareholders are depending more heavily on a data-driven mindsets to drive their investments forward and Digital Transformation has the tools they need to achieve their vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If leaders wish to stay relevant in the future adopting digital risk-taking and formulating digital strategies - if not already - will become the norm. So if leaders are not motivated by the incredible opportunities Digital Transformation in itself offers, then keeping once own job might just do the trick. Digital Transformation is here to stay and the sooner leaders get to terms with this fact the better as they will be able to take advantage from enhanced knowledge sharing, improved process efficiency, revenue growth and increased profit as findings show from Aberdeen Group study in October 2015:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is here to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Why should leaders take digital seriously?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s most critical decisions not only rest on the business feel and gut instinct of our leaders, but to a greater extend requires convincing insights. The involvement of data may once have been purely supporting or affirming in nature, but now plays a more central role. Even shareholders are depending more heavily on a data-driven mindsets to drive their investments forward and Digital Transformation has the tools they need to achieve their vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If leaders wish to stay relevant in the future adopting digital risk-taking and formulating digital strategies - if not already - will become the norm. So if leaders are not motivated by the incredible opportunities Digital Transformation in itself offers, then keeping once own job might just do the trick. Digital Transformation is here to stay and the sooner leaders get to terms with this fact the better as they will be able to take advantage from enhanced knowledge sharing, improved process efficiency, revenue growth and increased profit as findings show from Aberdeen Group study in October 2015:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is here to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

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Successful digital leaders also understand that to get maximum ROI out of investing into Digital Transformation they have to push their organizations to accelerate the flow of information between departments, and make that information available more quickly and more broadly across the organization. In more concrete terms this means creating an environment that nurtures data-driven insight thinking, implementing clear user needs and strong policies for data governance, support more efficient decision-making processes delivering relevant capabilities to the right job roles at the right time. These are all characteristics that digital leaders foster within their organization ultimately building the foundation for lower risk, increased profitability and faster management decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should leaders take digital seriously?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s most critical decisions not only rest on the business feel and gut instinct of our leaders, but to a greater extend requires convincing insights. The involvement of data may once have been purely supporting or affirming in nature, but now plays a more central role. Even shareholders are depending more heavily on a data-driven mindsets to drive their investments forward and Digital Transformation has the tools they need to achieve their vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If leaders wish to stay relevant in the future adopting digital risk-taking and formulating digital strategies - if not already - will become the norm. So if leaders are not motivated by the incredible opportunities Digital Transformation in itself offers, then keeping once own job might just do the trick. Digital Transformation is here to stay and the sooner leaders get to terms with this fact the better as they will be able to take advantage from enhanced knowledge sharing, improved process efficiency, revenue growth and increased profit as findings show from Aberdeen Group study in October 2015:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is here to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Digital Transformation is a never ending endeavor and in these disruptive times we live in the frequency of formulating new digital strategies and adopting new technologies is only expected to increase. Our future leaders must embrace Digital Transformation as their mission, and define and deliver winning digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many leaders have already started their organization\u2019s digital exploration, those who have yet to begin need to take this development seriously. The sooner they transform themselves into digital leaders and start their own Digital Transformation journey, the less catching up they have to do and the more relevant they will become to their shareholders, management and employees going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

About the author: Casper Tribler is the CEO of Scio+, a data science company in the food production sector. Tribler is also also an entrepreneur and frequently writes on topics like digital leadership, customer insight analytics and software-as-a-service. He can be contacted via LinkedIn<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Leadership for Digital Transformation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-leadership-for-digital-transformation\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":705,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-07-03 19:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-07-04 02:21:00","post_content":"\n

For enterprise software maker SAP, coming to SIlicon Valley was all about learning how to innovate. The four-day trip was a chance to see up close how some of the world\u2019s leading tech companies apply the principles of entrepreneurship to achieve remarkable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, SAP saw how the latest technologies are being applied to build the economy of the 21st century. It was an experience sure to prove invaluable as the European multinational continues to grapple with its own journey of digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day one of the tour served as a short introduction to the world of Silicon Valley; its culture and people. It began with a visit to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University. Here, the SAP team learned about the work being done with machine learning to read X-rays and reveal intimate details of atoms and electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour of the Stanford campus shed light on the institution\u2019s storied history. Often thought of as the spiritual home of Silicon Valley innovation, Stanford has gained a reputation as one of the world\u2019s leading centers for spinning off new ventures, attracting start-up funding and commercializing university research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The SAP team visit Memorial Court - part of Stanford University's Main Quadrangle - on Day 1 of their Silicon Valley tour with SVIC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The days that followed gave SAP an insider\u2019s view of Silicon Valley, including meetings with two of its biggest names: LinkedIn and Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At LinkedIn, the team found out how the social network turned itself into one of the world\u2019s leading platforms for hiring. In the process, it has become a major player in the B2B ad space. With huge amounts of data at its fingertips from its 500 million users, LinkedIn is able to target ads to specific professional groups. Last year, the company generated $27 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP received a behind-the-scenes look at LinkedIn\u2019s culture as well as their hiring and management practices, all of which have helped the company become the clear leader in the professional networking industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ISa59oYKeAE\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, SAP had a chance to put their questions directly to the search engine giant, Google. Topics discussed ranged widely, everything from Google\u2019s plans for artificial intelligence through to its corporate culture, revenue streams and policies on handling user data. SAP learned, for example, that Google generates 86% of its income through advertising and that employees are encouraged to use video conferencing so that their emotions are easily seen by colleagues. It was a meeting full of unique insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Q&A with Cisco provided another point of view on digital transformation. The SAP executives were able to learn about the process as experienced by a legacy company not dissimilar in age and structure to their own. SAP listened in as Cisco discussed its strategies on how to pick startups to partner with, how to foster a culture of innovation and how to make the right hires. Cisco is perhaps the ideal Silicon Valley success story: founded in 1984 by two Stanford computer scientists, it is today still going strong as a multinational tech conglomerate with a long list of startup acquisitions under its belt. Its latest areas of work include Internet of Things and cloud computing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking differently<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Silicon Valley experience came to an end with a tour of Airbnb. This trip brought together many of the ideas explored on previous days. A classic tech story of disruption by a startup, Airbnb has rewritten the rules in the market for accommodation rentals, using the sharing economy and the rise of smartphone technology to grow bigger and more quickly than any of its initial venture investors could have hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is renowned for its working culture. Seeing how the company functions on a day-to-day level - and how important this is for overall success - was a highlight for SAP. As Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has written<\/a>,  \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SAP
SAP executives learn about Airbnb's unique working culture during a behind-the-scenes tour of the company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After four days of immersion in Silicon Valley, the team from SAP went away inspired. It had been, as they put it, an opportunity to explore \u201coutside of the box of your own office.\u201d Seeing how other companies are doing things, the risks they are taking and the strategies they are employing to embrace digital provided unique perspectives which would otherwise have been unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the SAP executives headed back to their respective offices, they did so with a deeper understanding of what it means to be agile and \u201cfail fast\u201d. Along with that was a newly found excitement to put such thinking into practice within their own teams and get creative when it comes to solving new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/M-QIGYG9WXA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","post_title":"SAP in Silicon Valley: Inspired to Innovate","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/sap-in-silicon-valley-inspired-to-innovate\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":716,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-08 16:57:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-08 23:57:00","post_content":"\n

In past industrial revolutions, innovation and disruption took decades to mature and overtake existing industries. Look at the gap between the invention of the steam engine in 1712 and the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1872. Businesses that were entrenched in the steam engine era had 160 years to innovate and embrace the next iteration of the technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience the new age of innovation at the Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the information age of today, this disruption cycle is measured in months rather than years. There are dozens of startups in Silicon Valley today that are tinkering and experimenting in a quest to figure out new ways of doing business with a focus on disrupting existing industries. For leading corporations, this can represent either a threat or an opportunity, either of which depends on perspective, which we provide in the rest of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Model Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the traditional corporate-centric sense, business model innovation referred to businesses creating faster and more efficient processes utilizing existing products, technologies, and markets. An example of this is the Japanese Kaizen business model innovation. By streamlining manufacturing processes through small iterative steps, businesses that utilize the Kaizen philosophy maximize throughput while maintaining input at a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of business model innovation is no longer enough to keep market leaders at the top. Disruptive business models like lean startup, platform (ecosystem), and interface business models are giving startups in Silicon Valley an unfair advantage over large corporations. Examples of startups that are disrupting industries through business model innovation are Uber, Airbnb, and Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these business model innovations may be perceived as a threat, opportunity lies in understanding the practicality of these business models. Owing to the extreme competition and exacting standards in Silicon Valley, startups that embrace these business models do so as an adaptation to the unique circumstances they find themselves in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required to be nimble and rapidly iterate, these business models provide an adequate framework from which these startups operate, something that other antiquated business models cannot do. By understanding and embracing these innovative business models, corporations can evolve their existing business models to match those of disruptive startups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-End\/New-Market Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clay Christensen, the father of disruption theory, posited that incumbent organizations are disrupted because of the continual action of disruptive forces at the low end of the market. A case in point is Uber. While incumbents like car manufacturers and taxi companies were busy corralling existing markets, Uber began serving a then-fringe market, which comprised people disgruntled with existing transport and automotive solutions. Through this low-end market action, Uber is on course to disrupt not just the taxi industry, but the entire automotive industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When corporations see this market action, the response is often to strengthen their position in the current market. This is a mistake, Clay Christensen cautions<\/a>. He suggests instead that large corporations should use their strong market positions to start low-end market actions within their vertical and lateral markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, corporations should preempt eminent disruption and seek to disrupt themselves. This self-disruption could be in the form of startup engagement, corporate ventures, in-house innovation labs or investments in startups poised to disrupt the industry the corporation currently dominates.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting-edge Technology Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technologies like blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and others have been identified as disruptive technologies. However, technology does not disrupt an industry; it is the application of that technology that disrupts an industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consider blockchain, especially the aspect of smart contracts, the applications are endless yet abstract. Startups are only now beginning to find practical and scalable applications for the technology; something incumbents must follow closely as these applications may touch on or even disrupt their specific industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporations looking to harness these technologies to dominate their markets further and go after blue ocean opportunities must understand how these technologies can be contextually applied. They must also set up benchmarking, and listening channels focused on the Silicon Valley innovation hub to capitalize on any new developments in the area of technological innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While investing heavily in innovative technologies as a me-too strategy can be an expensive exercise and is ill-advised, running smaller and easily scalable experiments with such technologies and their emerging applications can help prepare the organization for future large-scale implementations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Digital Transformation<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Determining whether disruptive innovations are a threat or an opportunity to your organization requires context. The Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a> is a context-building opportunity for senior executives and key decision makers of leading organizations on how to approach these disruptive innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through exclusive visits to successful Silicon Valley companies, in-person talks with innovation experts and presentations from top-tier startups, the summit offers an opportunity for organization leaders to lead the charge in establishing a culture of disruptive innovation within their organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Executive Immersion Program<\/a><\/div>\n","post_title":"Disruptive Innovation: From Threat to Opportunity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/disruptive-innovation-from-threat-to-opportunity\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":726,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-06-01 20:33:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-06-02 03:33:00","post_content":"\n

For the winners of the 2017 Talent Unleashed Awards, a trip to Silicon Valley was the most fitting of prizes. As a diverse group of entrepreneurs and business leaders, the eight honorees were right at home in the California tech hub. They hailed from across the globe: Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the UK and the US were all represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one of them had come through several rounds of competition. Nominated in categories like \u201cbest startup\u201d or \u201cmost disruptive digital leader\u201d, their challenge had been to impress a panel of judges which included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Talent Unleashed Awards are an annual event held by recruitment agency Talent. As the agency puts it, the aim of the competition is to \u201crecognise and reward bold ideas and great leaders who are unleashing technology in the workplace and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who triumphed, the reward was an all-expenses-paid excursion to Silicon Valley May 21-22, 2018. More than just a chance to connect with the tech world\u2019s leading thinkers, the two-day, SVIC-curated program was also a study in innovation. It brought the award winners into contact with a host of organizations, each one at a different stage of the digital transformation lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/LGVl-t1LafQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legacy business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley is home to companies of all shapes and sizes. Each one of them has had to respond to the impact of disruptive tech in recent years. Among those hardest hit by the changes have been the big, well-established firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adobe is a prime example. Founded by two partners in 1982 in a California garage, today it is a multinational with more than 15,000 employees worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Adobe is helping its customers realize their own digital transformation goals. But reaching that stage has been a long journey. Known in the late 1990s and early 2000s chiefly as a software developer, the company has reinvented itself a cloud-based service provider. Offerings to its clients include artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Adobe headquarters revealed the organization\u2019s story to the Talent Unleashed award winners. They saw how even in Silicon Valley, where \u201cthe new\u201d is often elevated at the expense of the old, legacy players are still relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital natives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While big corporations have been trying to adapt, another type of Silicon Valley business has been on the rise. Far from being disrupted, these companies have been among the prime disruptors. Founded in the last decade or later, they are sharing economy platforms and marketplaces. In tandem with the rapid spread of smartphones, they have revolutionized entire industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbnb and Uber are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon. Yet in spite of being digital since day one, they still constantly strive to use new technologies and business models to stay ahead of competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Uber, the Talent Unleashed competition winners learnt how the company is expanding into the healthcare sector. Through a dedicated API and dashboard, the ridesharing platform now allows healthcare professionals to order rides for patients. Uber Health, as the initiative is known, went live in the U.S. in March. It is just one of several new directions Uber is pursuing to expand on its core ridesharing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A presentation at Airbnb, meanwhile, put a strong focus on company culture. For Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, staying true to core values is the key to an organization\u2019s longevity. In a blog post<\/a> on the subject he wrote, \u201cculture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tour member Darren Wells, the COO at Talent International, getting such behind-the-scenes insights into Airbnb was a highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really inspiring to see the way they work together as an organization on their culture and how that underpins their overall model,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Airbnb is pushing to become more than a website for booking places to stay. The platform has recently diversified into offering customers \u201cexperiences.\u201d These are activities in various locations, like photography or cooking classes, hosted by locals. Company chief Chesky describes them not just as a new line of business, but as part of Airbnb\u2019s mission to build \u201ca global travel community\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In spite of their great success, even digital-first companies like Uber and Airbnb need to stay on their guard. In Silicon Valley, new market entrants are never far away. And though they may be disruptive, startups are a vital part of the tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the second day of their tour the Talent Unleashed award winners were treated to a startup showcase at Menlo Ventures. They were exposed to a range of early-stage companies. Far from needing to go through a process of digital transformation, these ventures are already at the cutting edge of technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those on show was Clarifai, which is using computer vision and machine learning to provide image recognition tools. Usernmind, meanwhile, is a software-as-a-service platform deploying marketing and sales automation to improve customer experience. The company has to date received $45.6 million in funding, more than half of which came via a Series C round last January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pace of change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over their two days in Silicon Valley, the Talent Unleashed competition winners took in a huge range of new ideas. Visits to Docusign, Amazon and Stanford\u2019s Blockchain Collective added to a trip already full of thought-provoking impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group saw how enterprises at all stages of development are today grappling with disruptive technologies. As founders and executives themselves, the lessons they learned are sure to serve them well on their own entrepreneurial journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would perhaps do well to note that the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company is today about 15 years, compared to 70 years a century ago. What\u2019s more, tech observers believe the era of transformation is only just beginning, with the biggest share of disruption still to come.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Going Digital: Talent Unleashed Award Winners See Tech Disruption From All Angles","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/going-digital-talent-unleashed-award-winners-see-tech-disruption-from-all-angles\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":729,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-31 02:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-31 09:42:00","post_content":"\n

How will technology change how businesses interact with consumers and other businesses? What will the future of the workplace look like? Get an insider look at the fast approaching future of business innovation in Leading Digital Transformation executive immersion program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this 5-day immersion program, you\u2019ll visit the companies making waves, gain insights directly from innovation experts, and hear from digital native startups about new opportunities. Below you\u2019ll find a sampling of what this executive immersion program has to offer to innovation driven executives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exclusive visits to famous Silicon Valley companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gain a competitive advantage by visiting the companies that have been through innovation and learn from their mistakes and successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine designing a game that is no longer played. No one enjoys failure, but that\u2019s exactly where Slack sprouted from. Today, Slack has over 8 million users. How can a company turn a failure into a success? See how the innovative technologies behind Slack can help your business create a flexible and collaborative workplace - where failures become another opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hewlett Packard Enterprise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From personal computers to enterprise solutions, how does a technology company move from physical product to IoT and cloud business services? Learn how HPE transitioned from traditional technology platforms to the IT systems of the future. See how technology innovation can promote business transformation and new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face-to-face talks with 20+ innovation experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experience a personal touch to your innovation strategy from the experts who live and breathe business transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Sigal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An early-stage investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Mike Sigal is one of the top experts on innovation and business transformation. He\u2019ll provide you with a roadmap to navigate the ecosystem of venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Mike Sigal will also provide a strategy for advancing your corporate innovation through investing in the right startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory La Blanc<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Director and Instructor of UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Gregory La Blanc has the experience and knowledge about digital transformation and innovation to provide the foundation for your company\u2019s innovation strategy. Gregory La Blanc will guide you through problem definition, ideation, and the new approaches to customer-centricity in light of new mega trends and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentations from 30 top-notch startups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See what the disruptive startups are doing before they disrupt your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strong digital marketing and sales strategy is essential to drive business growth with consumers and businesses utilizing ecommerce and mobile apps. Branch helps thousands of today\u2019s top brands drive the best mobile experiences through its powerful linking infrastructure, cross-channel and cross-platform attribution and seamless integration with the entire marketing stack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICIX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ICIX has helped some of the largest retailers solve issues of supply chain transparency and inefficient information sharing. ICIX connects all trading partners into a single network to centralize collaboration. Learn how ICIX created a smart supply chain through blockchain and how to apply their approach of efficiency to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to upscale your innovation strategy and promote new business growth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register now for the Leading Digital Transformation program<\/a>. Experience the technology and ideas that revolutionize businesses.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Experience the Future of Business at the Leading Digital Transformation Program","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/experience-the-future-of-business-at-the-leading-digital-transformation-program\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":739,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2018-05-14 15:42:00","post_date_gmt":"2018-05-14 22:42:00","post_content":"\n

If you come to Silicon Valley for business there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t mix in a little pleasure.  That was exactly the agenda for Vodafone in March, as it sent a group of its top retailers from across Europe to the world\u2019s startup capital for a look at the latest developments in retail and telecoms innovation. But the group wasn\u2019t just there to work; Vodafone also wanted them to enjoy themselves, with the trip something of a reward for a job well done. That\u2019s why they made sure to find time for a little \u201ctech tourism\u201d in the form of test drives at Tesla and virtual reality experiences with the Facebook Oculus Rift and Microsoft Hololens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone sent its top retailers to Silicon Valley so they could learn about the latest innovations in the mobile telecoms space.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But before the fun began the retailers took an immersive dive into the world of innovation, seeking solutions to key business challenges they face today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, they were concerned with improving the user experience in their stores. As sellers, they rely on Google, Apple and other phone and software manufacturers to satisfy customers who are becoming increasingly demanding of the features and capabilities of smartphones. They have little influence on that front but where they can add value is through building the best possible user experience of shopping for a phone in a retail environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coupled with that is the challenge of e-commerce, with many customers bypassing shops altogether and opting to buy online. For these retailers that is another pressure point, a threat to their established businesses. Could Silicon Valley provide the answers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile majors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Silicon Valley answers abound but they are rarely of the simple cut and paste variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial groundwork for solutions was laid at a presentation from Silicon Valley Innovation Centre CEO Andrey Kunov, who provided an overview of Silicon Valley and its culture. Based in Europe as they are, for many of the group members this was their first time in Silicon Valley and even in the U.S. Kunov\u2019s presentation, therefore, provided an essential grounding in the ways and why\u2019s of tech innovation in the telecoms space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group then had a chance to see that innovation in practice with a trip to Google headquarters. The Q&A session here with a Google engineering director and a member of the company\u2019s hardware partnership division provided valuable insights into the internet\u2019 giant\u2019s engagement with the telecom sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google\u2019s telecoms activity is centered on its Android smartphone operating system, a system which, as mobile phone sellers, the group members know extremely well. The meeting at Google gave them a rare chance to ask those who actually represent the company all about Android, how it works and what it will look like in the future. This was valuable information for the retailers and a real takeaway they could then use at home to enhance their engagement with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time they were introduced to Google\u2019s innovative corporate culture. As men and women themselves engaged in running companies, hearing from Google on how it handles operations stimulated new thoughts and ideas on how their own practices might be in need of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Vodafone's retailers on a trip to Google HQ. The meeting with the internet giant was a chance to find out about the future of the Android smartphone operating system.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trip to Apple provided a further chance to \u201cconnect the dots\u201d, as the group \u2013 many of them sellers of iPhones \u2013 were able to see where the technology is conceived and designed. A trip to the Apple visitor centre and presentation from Apple gave them a window onto the company: its products, its culture and its future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun, yet fascinating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having heard direct from the source about where the iPhone and Android smartphones will take us in the future, the Vodafone retailers made a tech-style pivot into the world of autonomous vehicles and virtual reality. Not directly connected to their business of mobile phone retail, trips to Tesla and the Santa Clara Startup Hub nonetheless opened up new worlds to explore. Apart from being incredibly fun and novel experiences, getting behind the wheel of a Tesla or putting on the HoloLens provided a practical example of the kinds of breakthroughs which can be achieved in Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No trip to Silicon Valley would be complete without a little virtual reality.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That was perhaps the biggest takeaway for the group: innovative thinking combined with new technologies leads to powerful outcomes, no matter what industry you work in. The members of the tour saw that mobile telecoms and retail are no exceptions. They came away not only with new insights into the present and future of the products they sell on a daily basis, but also with a deeper sense of how transformative practices and business models are not just desirable but essential, especially when it comes to keeping the competition at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did they find answers to their biggest business challenges? More than that, they discovered the \u201csecret\u201d of Silicon Valley: innovation isn\u2019t the latest smartphone in the palm of your hand; it\u2019s a state of mind.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Innovation in Retail and Telecoms: Vodafone Visits Silicon Valley","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/innovation-in-retail-and-telecoms-vodafone-visits-silicon-valley\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":11},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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