business

Over the years, I’ve written a lot of posts about change and change management. In a post I wrote earlier this year about change and some of the learnings and takeaways from the pandemic and the business crisis that created, I noted that that we had/have a lot to learn.

Stakeholderism. Shareholderism. Two words we don’t talk about much in the CX world – at least not in the “-ism” format. I’ll come back to these concepts in a moment, as they are closely linked to what I’m writing about today.

I guess the most obvious and most likely thing that 2019 will bring is pretty much the same things as 2018 bestowed. Somehow that doesn't seem the right thing an observer about the ageing business should be saying - 'just read what I said about 2018'.

I have no doubt there will be the usual round of longevity conferences and innovation events that will be as memorable as they were in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Lots of ground breaking technologies and insights and lots and lots of hand wringing that 'something must be done'.

This is part of my manuscript for a session with Keen Bull on how additive manufacturing will impact the world, at this years DIF-festival.

What we find is that with some superior technological advancements, and additive manufacturing being one of them, the models and practices sustaining a competitive advantage in a given era starts failing.

We are living through the first era after time.

History has been defined in large part by the interaction of people, places, and ideas that were previously isolated. Wars were fought between countries filled with people who’d not only never traveled beyond their own national borders, but had limited to no awareness of those places (other than what their leaders told them).

A recent study by Merrill Lynch found that “good companies can make good stocks,” though not as a stand-alone metric. It’s a good start.

Now and then a question comes along that provokes my thinking. Here’s a question that I came across recently expressed in different ways:

The future of business is personal. We are embarking on “The Age of You”, in which “Mecosystems” (ecosystems that revolve around and cater to you) and “responsive experiences” (customer experiences that adapt to your needs and preferences) will prevail.

I wonder if you have noticed something about the world of business? You may have not noticed it as this feature of business life is pervasive, so enduring, that lies in the background. I found myself reawakened to this feature recently.

My presentation at the iab.think digital in Brussels on the 28th May.