A total of 24 speakers from top organisations and new age start-ups spoke on ‘Digital innovations: reforming business strategies’, at Great Lakes Digital Symposium. Industry leaders gave insights on how organisations should develop corporate and competitive strategies in order to stay relevant on the digital front. The one-day symposium witnessed live demonstration by ‘Nao’, the robot by Vero Robotics.
Dr Bala V Balachandran, Founder and Chairman, Great Lakes Institute of Management, said, “Given that technological paradigm shift is taking place in the way businesses, economies and even nations are being administered, it is incumbent upon schools and colleges to overhaul their offerings to provide the latest, cutting-edge skills to their students and educate them on the next/best practices. Technology is experimental and ‘build as you go’, which means that the best way to learn is with the help of subject-experts who are defining the ‘next big thing’ and driving the change. The Great Lakes Digital Symposium is the perfect platform that will showcase success stories about companies and products that have made history and people who have converted their ‘silly’ ideas into a multi-million-dollar business plans and turned around struggling and dying businesses into sustainable and highly profitable ventures.”
Dr Suresh Ramanathan, Dean and Principal, Great Lakes Institute of Management, said, “The Digital Symposium at Great Lakes brings on stage a panoply of leaders and experts who are shepherding their organisations through the fast-changing business landscape. It is a unique opportunity for our students to learn from the experiences of this august body of speakers and to understand what it takes to succeed.”
Challenges and innovations
Delivering the keynote address on ‘Emotional Quotient: The Digital Soul’, Rajeev Krishnan, Managing Director and CEO, SPAR Hypermarkets India, Landmark Group, said, “To be the most engaging and innovative business in India, make a difference in lives of your communicators, customers and shareholders every day.”
Ashok Ramachandran, President, India and South Asia, Schindler, said, “When you start working for an organisation, a sudden longing to move again, for better salary strikes your mind. My advice is, you avoid that thought. Instead ask yourself — ‘Why not consider to value the work I have and make a mark with it? What’s the story I am going to convey to the world?’ Challenges and innovations might constantly occur, but remember that you are the constant during all these changes.”
Robin Banerjee, Managing Director, Caprihans India Limited, spoke on ‘Business and Technology: The evolving corporate world’, and stressed on the fundamental change of fourth industrial revolution. “Fourth stands for finance, organisation, unique selling proposition, risk management, technology and human resource. When all are these are enabled by technologies, both organisation as well as the economy will achieve sustainability and profitability” said Banerjee.
Creating an impact
Sanjay Kao, Chief Business Officer, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited, said, “It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you grow, but it definitely matters how effectively you grow and create an impact. Today, Ujjivan has the largest number of women customers, and also provides them with necessary support in terms of financial planning among other banking services.”
Mukundan Govindraj, Head Technology Design Studio, Boston Consulting Group spoke on ‘Technology Trends and its Impact on Industry’ followed by Vijay Shah, CEO – Vero Robotics who apoke on ‘Future of Robotics’, demonstrating ‘Nao’, the robot.
HR panel discussion was organised on ‘The next generation talent profile – How will you fill the digital skills gap’ by Damodaran Venkatesan, CEO and Managing Director Ameex Technologies Inc, egapriyan V, Head — Corporate HR Tech Mahindra, Dr. Murali Padmanabhan, Senior Vice-President and Global Head — Talent Development, Virtusa, and Sutanu Chowdhury, Sr Vice President HR, SPAR Hypermarkets India, Landmark Group.