Curating insights is seen as a critical 21st century capability for organisations and their leaders. This is what caught my imagination when I joined business leaders gathered at The Royal Albert Hall yesterday to hear speakers share insights about how to 'Thrive in a changing World.'
Opening the convention, outgoing Director General Simon Walker advised directors of the dangers of clinging to the relics of the 20th century.
Global Econmist, Dr Dambisa Moyo covered four topics compellingly. Directors need to identify the multiple tactical risks with the potential to impact their organisations in the short term but not stop there. Board intelligence on structural headwinds such as the positive and negative impacts of technological change, global demographics and finite resources should inform strategic thinking in the Boardroom. Keeping an eye on International Governments policy responses is also critical, in order to establish where investment opportunities exist.
Secretary of State, Greg Clark positioned UK Government thinking before a panel debated what Brexit means for business. We were introduced to the idea of a more stable and predictable policy response so that UK PLC is enabled to be a nation of entrepreneurs with a supportive regulatory system and tax environment. Localisation re-entered the vocabulary. McKinsey Partner, Vivian Hunt reinforced the need to remain open and connected to markets. First Ministers of Wales and Scotland, Carwyn Jones and Nicola Sturgeon positioned their needs and expectations for self determination.
The challenges of cyber security, energy production and funding sources occupied the rest of the morning. Directors were exhorted to take ownership of technological threats and not devolve them. A lively debate on the pace of our journey towards a low carbon future exposed large divisions in thinking and the need for investment in storage technologies and analytics. Robert Gordon of Hitachi Capital suggested the need for diverse and imaginative asset funding models for SMEs and new funding criteria.
The afternoon raised spirits by focusing on practical ways in which businesses have applied 'Blue Ocean' strategic thinking and created new markets. Government Digital Adviser Martha Lane Fox promoted three themes, a quick revamp of infrastructure, digital skills development and a mindset of connectivity in order for the internet to become the organising principle for business. Olivier Gremillon from Airbnb promoted a better use of assets in a sharing economy and the importance of growing your business in the right way by listening to stakeholders and understanding your markets. 'Embrace change and adapt' are the guiding principles for the way Alibaba operates with culture driving strategy. Amee Chande shared the way in which her organisation are innovating in order to trade across boundaries.
The importance of a different way of thinking and leading was shared by Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes and brand expert Kevin Roberts. Kelly highlighted the need to be focused, determined and persistent in order to overcome obstacles. Her three messages were give it a go, learn every day and mentor and nurture talent. Kevin advised directors to turn the world from VUCA - volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous to Super VUCA - vibrant, unreal, crazy and astounding. His twenty suggestions included replacing command and control leadership with connectivity, collaboration and creativity.
A full agenda and food for thought.