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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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\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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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\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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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\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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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\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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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Latest

\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n
\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n

Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

Search

Latest

\n
  • Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

    Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

    These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

    Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

    Search

    Latest

    \n
  • Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

    Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

    These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

    Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

    Search

    Latest

    \n
  • Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

    Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

    These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

    Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

    Search

    Latest

    \n
  • Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

    Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

    These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

    Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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    \n
  • Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

    Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

    These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

    Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

    Search

    Latest

    \n
      \n
    1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

      Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

      These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

      Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

      Search

      Latest

      \n

      There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
        Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

        Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

        These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

        Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

        Search

        Latest

        \n

        Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
          Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

          Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

          These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

          Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

          Search

          Latest

          \n

          The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
            Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

            Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

            Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

            These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

            Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

            Search

            Latest

            \n

            Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

            There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
              Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

              Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

              Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

              These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

              Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

              Search

              Latest

              \n

              What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

              There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
                Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

                Search

                Latest

                \n

                Innovation is key to staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. One way to drive innovation is through collaboration with startups, which can provide access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities. However, identifying and evaluating startups that align with your strategic goals and objectives can be a daunting task. This is where Startup Scouting comes in. In this blog post, we will explore what Startup Scouting is and how it can help companies identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                  Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                  Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                  Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                  These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                  Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

                  Search

                  Latest

                  \n

                  Tags: Tech<\/a>, Startup<\/a>, Green technology<\/a>, FinTech<\/a>, #ARVR, #IndustrialRevolution<\/a>, #ARinIndustry<\/a>, HealthTech<\/a>, DataPrivacy<\/a>, #BigData<\/a>, Artificial intelligence<\/a>, cybersecurity<\/a>, retail<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_excerpt":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"revolutionizing-retail-revery-ais-journey-from-concept-to-consumer","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-22 12:22:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-22 20:22:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9988","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":9613,"post_author":"6","post_date":"2023-05-09 15:49:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:49","post_content":"\n

                  Innovation is key to staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. One way to drive innovation is through collaboration with startups, which can provide access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities. However, identifying and evaluating startups that align with your strategic goals and objectives can be a daunting task. This is where Startup Scouting comes in. In this blog post, we will explore what Startup Scouting is and how it can help companies identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                  There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                    Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                    Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                    Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                    These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                    Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

                    Search

                    Latest

                    \n

                    Revery.AI's journey from concept to consumer is a narrative of innovation, perseverance, and overcoming industry challenges. By revolutionizing the retail experience through its virtual dressing room technology, Revery.AI has not only filled a void in the market but has also set a new standard for the integration of augmented reality and AI-driven personalization in the retail industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Tags: Tech<\/a>, Startup<\/a>, Green technology<\/a>, FinTech<\/a>, #ARVR, #IndustrialRevolution<\/a>, #ARinIndustry<\/a>, HealthTech<\/a>, DataPrivacy<\/a>, #BigData<\/a>, Artificial intelligence<\/a>, cybersecurity<\/a>, retail<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_excerpt":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"revolutionizing-retail-revery-ais-journey-from-concept-to-consumer","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-22 12:22:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-22 20:22:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9988","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":9613,"post_author":"6","post_date":"2023-05-09 15:49:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:49","post_content":"\n

                    Innovation is key to staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. One way to drive innovation is through collaboration with startups, which can provide access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities. However, identifying and evaluating startups that align with your strategic goals and objectives can be a daunting task. This is where Startup Scouting comes in. In this blog post, we will explore what Startup Scouting is and how it can help companies identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                    What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                    There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                      Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                      Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                      Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                      These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                      Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

                      Search

                      Latest

                      \n

                      Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Revery.AI's journey from concept to consumer is a narrative of innovation, perseverance, and overcoming industry challenges. By revolutionizing the retail experience through its virtual dressing room technology, Revery.AI has not only filled a void in the market but has also set a new standard for the integration of augmented reality and AI-driven personalization in the retail industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Tags: Tech<\/a>, Startup<\/a>, Green technology<\/a>, FinTech<\/a>, #ARVR, #IndustrialRevolution<\/a>, #ARinIndustry<\/a>, HealthTech<\/a>, DataPrivacy<\/a>, #BigData<\/a>, Artificial intelligence<\/a>, cybersecurity<\/a>, retail<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_excerpt":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"revolutionizing-retail-revery-ais-journey-from-concept-to-consumer","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-22 12:22:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-22 20:22:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9988","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":9613,"post_author":"6","post_date":"2023-05-09 15:49:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:49","post_content":"\n

                      Innovation is key to staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. One way to drive innovation is through collaboration with startups, which can provide access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities. However, identifying and evaluating startups that align with your strategic goals and objectives can be a daunting task. This is where Startup Scouting comes in. In this blog post, we will explore what Startup Scouting is and how it can help companies identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                      What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                        Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                        Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                        Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                        Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                        These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                        Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

                        Search

                        Latest

                        \n
                      6. Potential Industry Collaborations - <\/strong>The success of Revery.AI opens the door to potential collaborations with other industries. From fashion influencers to e-commerce giants, the technology has applications beyond the conventional retail space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        Revery.AI's journey from concept to consumer is a narrative of innovation, perseverance, and overcoming industry challenges. By revolutionizing the retail experience through its virtual dressing room technology, Revery.AI has not only filled a void in the market but has also set a new standard for the integration of augmented reality and AI-driven personalization in the retail industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Tags: Tech<\/a>, Startup<\/a>, Green technology<\/a>, FinTech<\/a>, #ARVR, #IndustrialRevolution<\/a>, #ARinIndustry<\/a>, HealthTech<\/a>, DataPrivacy<\/a>, #BigData<\/a>, Artificial intelligence<\/a>, cybersecurity<\/a>, retail<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_excerpt":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"revolutionizing-retail-revery-ais-journey-from-concept-to-consumer","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-22 12:22:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-22 20:22:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9988","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":9613,"post_author":"6","post_date":"2023-05-09 15:49:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:49","post_content":"\n

                        Innovation is key to staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. One way to drive innovation is through collaboration with startups, which can provide access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities. However, identifying and evaluating startups that align with your strategic goals and objectives can be a daunting task. This is where Startup Scouting comes in. In this blog post, we will explore what Startup Scouting is and how it can help companies identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                        What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                        There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                          Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                          Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                          Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                          Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                          These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                          Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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                          Latest

                          \n
                        6. Expanding the Retail Frontier - <\/strong>As Revery.AI continues to disrupt the retail landscape, its future prospects are promising. The technology's scalability and ease of integration position it as a tool that can redefine how retailers interact with their customers in the digital space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        7. Potential Industry Collaborations - <\/strong>The success of Revery.AI opens the door to potential collaborations with other industries. From fashion influencers to e-commerce giants, the technology has applications beyond the conventional retail space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                          Revery.AI's journey from concept to consumer is a narrative of innovation, perseverance, and overcoming industry challenges. By revolutionizing the retail experience through its virtual dressing room technology, Revery.AI has not only filled a void in the market but has also set a new standard for the integration of augmented reality and AI-driven personalization in the retail industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Tags: Tech<\/a>, Startup<\/a>, Green technology<\/a>, FinTech<\/a>, #ARVR, #IndustrialRevolution<\/a>, #ARinIndustry<\/a>, HealthTech<\/a>, DataPrivacy<\/a>, #BigData<\/a>, Artificial intelligence<\/a>, cybersecurity<\/a>, retail<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_excerpt":"Revolutionizing Retail: Revery.AI\u2019s Journey from Concept to Consumer","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"revolutionizing-retail-revery-ais-journey-from-concept-to-consumer","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-22 12:22:25","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-22 20:22:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9988","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":9613,"post_author":"6","post_date":"2023-05-09 15:49:49","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:49","post_content":"\n

                          Innovation is key to staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. One way to drive innovation is through collaboration with startups, which can provide access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities. However, identifying and evaluating startups that align with your strategic goals and objectives can be a daunting task. This is where Startup Scouting comes in. In this blog post, we will explore what Startup Scouting is and how it can help companies identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                          What is Startup Scouting?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          Startup Scouting is a service offered by the Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) that helps companies identify and evaluate startups that align with their strategic goals and objectives. The service leverages the extensive networks and expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem to identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          The Startup Scouting process involves a team of experienced experts who analyze the latest technologies, trends, and market opportunities to identify startups that are relevant to the client's industry, technology focus, and business objectives. The experts then conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. The experts then present their findings to the client, along with a detailed report that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Benefits of Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                          There are numerous benefits of using Startup Scouting as a tool for driving innovation, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          1. Access to Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem: Silicon Valley is home to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups in the world. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can gain access to new technologies, ideas, and market opportunities that can help them stay competitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          2. Customized scouting and evaluation: The Startup Scouting service is tailored to the client's specific needs, ensuring that the scouts identify and evaluate startups that align with the client's strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          3. Thorough evaluation process: The scouts conduct a thorough evaluation process that includes analyzing the company's product, team, business model, market opportunity, and competitive landscape. This provides clients with a detailed understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each startup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          4. Reduced risk: By using Startup Scouting, companies can reduce the risk of investing in startups that may not align with their strategic goals and objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          5. Comprehensive innovation strategy: By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can develop a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with their long-term goals and objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                            Examples of Successful Startup Scouting:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                            The success stories of companies in a range of industries demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting to identify innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            DHL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                            DHL, the German logistics major, was facing the challenge of finding startups pioneering novel AI solutions in the supply chain space. DHL turned to Startup Scouting for help, and Silicon Valley Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SVIC) conducted the necessary research, delivering to DHL a database of early-stage companies that corresponded to the logistics major\u2019s requirements. SVIC went further, working with DHL to engage several of the startups from the database. Ultimately, DHL launched pilot projects with a number of the early-stage companies SVIC discovered. Through Startup Scouting, DHL was able to identify innovative startups and launch successful pilot projects to improve its supply chain operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Symetra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                            Symetra, a US-based company providing a range of products across insurance and retirement plans to a diverse clientele, needed a platform that would allow it to provide secure, efficient text communication to customers. SVIC scouted globally, finding innovative startups capable of meeting Symetra\u2019s specific needs that also possessed relevant experience and resources to work with Symetra\u2019s market and customer base. Symetra went on to launch successful pilots with a number of the startups found through Startup Scouting, improving its customer communication and enhancing its competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            TetraPak<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                            A food processing and packaging multinational needed to find innovative solutions to challenges around data automation as part of the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations. SVIC activated its networks, including across venture capital and startup incubators, to source solutions tailored to the client\u2019s challenges. The result was a unique database of early-stage companies with the potential to make an immediate positive impact on the client\u2019s digital transformation. Through Startup Scouting, the food processing and packaging multinational was able to identify innovative solutions and improve its manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            International Vitamin Corporation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                            The International Vitamin Corporation, based in the United States, was looking for new technologies and solutions that would be applicable to a number of operational areas, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. SVIC undertook a comprehensive analysis of each of the sectors in question, providing International Vitamin Corporation with a report on established and emerging solutions in each area. International Vitamin Corporation was then able to assess each option for its potential for partnerships and further implementation. Through Startup Scouting, International Vitamin Corporation was able to identify new technologies and solutions and improve its operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                            Unlock the Power of Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                            Conclusion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Startup Scouting is an essential tool for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation. The success stories of DHL, Symetra, the food processing and packaging multinational, and International Vitamin Corporation demonstrate the power of Startup Scouting in identifying innovative startups and solutions that can drive significant value and impact. By leveraging the expertise of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, companies can identify and evaluate startups that have the potential to transform their industries and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Startup Scouting: How Silicon Valley's Innovation Ecosystem Can Help Companies Drive Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"startup-scouting-how-silicon-valleys-innovation-ecosystem-can-help-companies-drive-innovation-and-stay-ahead-of-the-curve","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-09 15:49:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-09 22:49:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/?p=9613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":553,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2019-03-07 11:21:00","post_date_gmt":"2019-03-07 19:21:00","post_content":"\n

                            Digitalization of markets is on the rise. In retail, increasingly digitally-connected consumers are looking for matching experiences from retailers. Retailers, previously focused on a brick-and-mortar store footprint and inventory expansion, are now faced with an imperative to rapidly adapt to changing consumer needs or risk disruption from digital-first startups or fast-moving competitors. Before we look at what retailers can and should do to undertake effective digital transformation, it is important to first understand the meaning of digital transformation within the retail sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            In the retail experience, there is the core enterprise, a supply chain network, and the end product or service, all of which work in tandem to ensure that what you pay for is what you get. Within this context, digital transformation is the radical transformation of these three pillars to align with an increasingly digital-first marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Core Enterprise Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            At the heart of any traditional retail operation is the core enterprise of people, legacy systems, established cultures, disparate silos of data and rigid operational frameworks. The core enterprise is fragmented and complex, which acts as a major impediment to nimbleness and innovation in the face of disruptive startups and innovative competitors. The solution lies in the digital transformation of the core enterprise, or what can also be called the platformization<\/a> of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            In the past, Amazon and Walmart were markedly different companies operating in different submarkets of retail - online and offline, respectively: Amazon a digital-first e-commerce behemoth and Walmart king of brick-and-mortar retail. Today, while they each dominate their respective niches, they are both technology companies at the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            This digital transformation of the core enterprise through the integration of technological capabilities, an upgraded workforce, and re-engineered business models allow both companies to operate with nimbleness and simplicity at the surface yet with sophisticated technologies and structures running at scale within the core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            For instance, Amazon\u2019s AI Flywheel strategy<\/a> ensures AI advances in one department spread to other departments and in this way is integrating AI into the core operations of the company. Similarly, Walmart, through its Project Kepler, is using machine learning and AI to blend the online and offline shopping experience so customers can start a transaction online and finish it offline or vice versa while introducing a new shopping experience with no cashiers, AI inventory management, same-day shipping, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            By establishing a digital core, such retailers are able to respond quickly and effectively to consumer trends and technological shifts in commerce to deliver exceptional experiences to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Supply Chain Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            Traditional supply chains are characteristically fragmented. Goods leaving a warehouse may be visible to the destination store but are not visible on a customer\u2019s mobile device, which means that a customer may find an item out-of-stock at a retail outlet, yet the item is in a warehouse nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            As such, demand-change indicators for certain products often make it upstream too late, resulting in oversupply or undersupply of goods. In a digital-first retail environment, such a traditional supply chain can result in lost sales and poor customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            To illustrate the need for the digital transformation of a retailer\u2019s supply chain, consider a customer looking for a pair of shoes in a certain size that they need to be delivered to a friend\u2019s house on their birthday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            While traditional supply chains would struggle to accommodate this level of complexity, digitally transformed ones have the tools to excel at such tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Utilizing machine learning algorithms for forecasting, end-to-end visibility across the entire value chain, and AI-enabled inventory management, a modern retailer can fulfill such an order. This level of personalization is only possible through a fully-integrated digital supply chain network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            As consumers demand increasingly personalized experiences, retailers must respond by applying appropriate digital technologies to their supply networks, either through in-house efforts or by partnering with startups like Fetch Robotics<\/a> for warehouse automation, Celect<\/a> for inventory management optimization or Label Insight<\/a>, for enhanced product transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Product\/Customer Experience Transformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            In a 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey<\/a>, PwC found that although brick-and-mortar shopping was on a downward trend between 2010 and 2014, the years from 2015 and 2018 saw that number rebound. In an increasingly digital retail environment, this may seem like an anomaly. However, what this data points to is the desire consumers have for experiential shopping<\/a>, an emerging type of shopping that is intuitive, human, meaningful, immersive, accessible, and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            The data also points to rising consumer concerns around the cost of delivery, time to delivery, and the ability to try before buying. Although online retail is frictionless and offers many conveniences, many buyers still want to walk into a physical store to make a purchase. This trend introduces an interesting dilemma for retailers undertaking digital transformation; if buyers still want that physical shopping experience, how do you blend that with their increasingly digitized consumer habits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            The answer lies in blending physical and digital. By integrating omnichannel shopping with in-store and digital experiences, retailers can bridge this gap. For instance, by offering something as simple as in-store Wi-Fi, retailers can support the up-to 60% of shoppers<\/a> who use their smartphones while shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Other areas retailers can target to improve the customer experience include connected (human or virtual) store assistants with full visibility of the store, interactive signage, smart fitting rooms, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), personalized in-store messaging, whole-cart checkout, ability to virtually order out-of-stock goods and have them delivered later, buy-online-collect-offline, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            By offering a blended experience, retailers can ride the current trend of experiential shopping and delight increasingly demanding consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Going Full-circle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            While the conversation around digital transformation<\/a> almost always involves discussions about AI, the blockchain, and other trending technologies, these serve only as enablers of a holistic digital transformation strategy. Established retailers must, therefore, carefully weigh the benefits of the different transformations outlined above against the backdrop of their current operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Which transformations augment current operations? Which are practical to implement and will result in measurable ROI? As retailers ask these questions, they must keep an eye on the ultimate determining factor, consumer habits and trends. Ultimately, all efforts must focus on the singular customer-centric mission of delighting customers and offering them a memorable and meaningful shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            Silicon Valley Retail Executive Immersion Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            Attend a week-long Silicon Valley Innovation Center Retail Executive Immersion program that offers board members and senior executives in the retail industry unparalleled access and insights into the innovations surrounding the industry. Executives can expect to learn about big data and predictive analytics in supply chain management, AI store assistants and blended digital-physical shopping.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Digital Transformation Insights - Why Retailers Must Transform at the Speed of Consumer Digitization","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-10 12:13:00","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-10 20:13:00","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/digital-transformation-insights-why-retailers-must-transform-at-the-speed-of-consumer-digitization\/","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"},{"ID":857,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-12 19:53:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 03:53:00","post_content":"\n

                            These 6 Statistics will show you why it's time for a Digital Transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n","post_title":"Big Data In Retail By The Numbers (Infographic)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/big-data-in-retail-by-the-numbers-infographic\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":867,"post_author":"1","post_date":"2017-12-06 02:02:00","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-06 10:02:00","post_content":"\n

                            Amazon Go can make it much easier to get in and out of a store. While currently only a pilot in a small store near Amazon HQ in Seattle, Amazon Go has huge potential to make shopping easier. Each shopper\u2019s activity is tracked by in-store cameras and sensors. Each item that you pick up and put back will be recorded. So in the shopping of Amazon\u2019s Christmas wish all you have to do is enter a store, put the items in your (reusable) bags and walk out. You will be charged to you Amazon account. If you are in the Bay Area you can see Google experimenting with LIDAR in their merchandise beta.<\/p>\n","post_title":"No Checkout Lines Ever? Yes Please","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-27 20:45:15","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-28 04:45:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/siliconvalley.center\/blog\/no-checkout-lines-ever-yes-please\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_5"};

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