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Keynotes
Leading with Confidence
Madeleine Albright, first female Secretary of State of the United States and Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group
In June 1998, in a policy speech on Iran, then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said, "We must always be flexible enough to respond to change and seize historic opportunities." Join Albright as she discusses how this belief is as relevant to businesses as it is to government negotiations today, and how the current market is one such historic opportunity.
Albright will discuss the importance of leadership in today’s world and the role of international political stability in building a healthy environment for business, growth and prosperity.
Adapting to the Pace of Change
Clay Shirky, writer, consultant and teacher on the social and economic effects of Internet technologies
"Five years ago YouTube and Twitter didn't exist, and Facebook was only for college kids."
Sometimes having a five-year plan isn't very helpful or realistic because much of what matters is about a business’ ability to adapt to a changing context, rather than believing that it can control that context.
One of the largest contextual shifts in the world of business today is the socialisation of media, where the people formerly known as the audience are now full participants in the media landscape. Shirky will describe some of the essential changes that have already happened in social media – mass amateurisation, ridiculously easy group formation – as well as some of the changes still to come. He will also describe the ways businesses can adapt to these changes.
Innovation
Soumitra Dutta, Roland Berger Chaired Professor at INSEAD and Director of eLab@INSEAD
Organisations cannot recover from the current crisis by just cutting costs. They must drive business growth through the right combination of innovative people, technology and ways of working.
Dutta will discuss why innovation is the best answer for both thriving in the current crisis and emerging stronger in the post-crisis world. He will draw on his extensive experience as an adviser to governments and top corporations to present proven ways to improve innovation performance and strategies for technology-enabled innovation.
Thornton May, Futurist, Executive Director and Dean of the IT Leadership Academy
In the past, imagination and execution have been thought to exist at opposite ends of the behavioural spectrum. Executives known for their imagination were typically thought to be weak on execution, and leaders excelling in execution were thought to be somewhat challenged creatively. The business scholars of the past validated this think-or-do state of mind, maintaining that enterprises had to choose one of three strategies - be operationally excellent, achieve customer intimacy or establish product leadership. Research done in conjunction with The New Know: Innovation Powered by Analytics posits a new reality. In the future, information management will be the essence of leadership. Next-generation leaders will need to master imaginative execution and disciplined intuition. May will chart the future landscape from the perspective of the managing director/CEO.
Panels
Dynamics of the Global Economy: What Next?
As the turmoil in global financial markets stabilises, many businesses are looking for ways to limit risky behaviour, but this can actually result in losses from passing by more lucrative options. Organisations must respond to evolving opportunities and challenges when making decisions while balancing the short term with the long term.
Our panellists will share what they have witnessed firsthand around the world, including what’s next for local and global economies, what we can expect in the months ahead, and what’s the likely outcome.
Panellists: Gerard Lyons, PhD, Standard Chartered; Joseph Quinlan, Bank of America Global Wealth and Investment Management; Norbert Walter, Walter & Daughters Consult; and Mark Jeffries (panel host).
Managing the Complexity in Business
Leaders in today's organisations face an increasingly complex and interconnected landscape. How do you decide where to focus your attention? Globalisation has blurred boundaries providing for an easier flow of goods, capital, people and knowledge. As a result, one decision can have a sweeping effect throughout your organisation.
In this session, our panellists will draw on their experiences as leaders of top global companies to discuss how data and fact-based decision making can simplify organisational complexity. Hear how they are cutting through the clutter to make confident decisions.
Panellists: Andrew Rashbass, CEO, The Economist Group; Jim Goodnight, CEO, SAS; and Jim Davis, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, SAS (panel host)
Competing on Analytics: The Winners and the Losers
Most companies have massive amounts of data at their disposal, yet fail to utilise it in any meaningful way. But analytics is enabling firms to aggressively use their data in key business decisions and processes, with impressive results.
You have more information at hand about your business environment than ever before. But are you using it to outthink your rivals? If not, you may be missing out on a potent and unique competitive tool. Our panel will discuss how you can:
- Effectively deploy analytics in day-to-day operations.
- Use data more effectively and glean valuable analytical insights.
- Manage and coordinate data, people and technology at an enterprise level.
- Understand and support what analytical leaders do.
Leading with Confidence in Times of Change
As a result of globalisation, constant technological advances and industry consolidation, organisational change has become a way of life. Leaders must be more aware of regional and cultural distinctions to ensure decisions will succeed in diverse markets. They must guide change within their organisations by encouraging innovation and giving employees the confidence to achieve their potential.
Our panellists understand that today’s leaders are expected to make effective decisions, quickly. Hear about the tools and processes they have in place that allow them to make these decisions confidently.
Panellists: Mikael Hagström, Executive Vice President, SAS Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific; Philippe Wallez, General Manager, Marketing, ING Belgium; Astrid Bohé, Senior Executive, Accenture; and Mark Jeffries (panel host).