RENAISSANCE 2020 - How Today's CXOs Are Innovating for Tomorrow

THE RENAISSANCE:

The Renaissance period in Europe spread across the 14th-17th centuries. This was an innovative and exciting time that brought forth its own version of ‘Humanism’. The culture orbited around the Ancient Greek Philosopher Protagoras’ words that "Man is the measure of all things." 

The word ‘Renaissance’ is the French translation for ‘Rebirth’ and Galileo, Copernicus, Michelangelo and Shakespeare are but a few key contributors to the innovative thinking and output that inspired an era. Perhaps the one who delivered the most profound impact on the world was the 'Renaissance Man' himself - Leonardo Da Vinci.

What had made Da Vinci spectacularly brilliant was how his genius spread across disciplines. His magnitude of conceptions and inventions in art, science, healthcare, architecture etc. created waves of intellect that would echo an eternity. From inventing ‘robots’ to conceptional designs for the helicopters, artificial limbs, calculators, solar power, etc. are small examples of his brainchildren. 

In essence, Leonardo Da Vinci leveraged data available to him, processed this data in his intelligent mind and generated the strongest possible outcomes. The result: delivering game-changing innovation that continues to positively impact our world. This process is shared today as Executive Leaders assess today's landscape and build for their organizations' future.

C-SUITE - CONCERNS TODAY:

“In today’s era of volatility, there is no other way but to re-invent. The only sustainable advantage you can have over others is agility, that’s it.”

Jeff Bezos – Amazon Founder

According to PWC's 2018 CEO survey, 2017 had seen high economic growth across the world and majority of CEO's are optimistic for this trend to continue in 2018. Emerging and developing economies have seen higher real GDP growth (almost double) than advanced economies and that trend is continuing with increasingly global customers and international supply chains.

So why are CEO's less optimistic about their own organizations' growth over the next 3 years?

Most are concerned with 'protectionism.' Protectionism is based on a country implementing policies that protects its jobs and businesses from foreign competition. How to implement and enforce this concept is of fierce debate. Many economic policies, such as NAFTA, are being reviewed to restrict imports arriving from international countries by levying tariffs, establishing import quotas, and many other government regulations. While this may have benefits to many in a position of leverage, it is creating uncertainty for global businesses and straining diplomatic relationships.

The US is ranked by 46% of global CEO's as one of the most important countries for economic growth, followed by China and Germany (PWC Survey). As the largest importer of goods annually, these powerhouses have the ability to cause volatility across global businesses. Wide-scale policies or actions, can create a significant ripple effect for every pocket in our planet.

Many enterprises have spent the better part of past decades understanding technology. Leveraging innovations in technology to generate more data, enhanced mobility applications, IoT use cases and cloud applications have made them efficient and moving forward. BUT, there is a new battle as global concerns increase pressure on businesses profit and supply chains. There are seismic changes on the horizon, and those who are prepared will prevail.

Prepared does not mean having the manpower or the money to make changes as they occur. No, prepared means having the smartest team, data and digital technology to outmaneuver your competitors and keep in front of them through agility.

Start centralizing your technology and engage across stakeholders to be ready for change.

THE RENAISSANCE OF 2020:

"Men of lofty genius when they are doing the least work are most active."

-Leonardo Da Vinci

Today, the future of business is being shaped through the Renaissance Man’s namesake – SAP Leonardo. This intelligent technology leverages future technology such as AI, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Blockchain, etc. It is from these technologies; today’s businesses are being re-born. SAP’s Intelligent Enterprise Suite is embedding SAP Leonardo across their entire solution portfolio into the future.

With the future of intelligent technology and innovation, this is Renaissance 2020. There is a renewed emphasis of ‘Man being the measure of all things.’ AI and automation are simulating ‘Man’ and opening the door for strong strategic minds to collaborate and leverage the power and speed of machines to change their business and industries. Traditional business models, through strategic C-Suite leadership, technology and processes, are in a stage of digital metamorphosis and ‘renaissance’ to create successful business models for the future.